2000 coup leader, George Speight and six others have been officially discharged from custody today.
Mr Speight, was charged with treason and convicted on his own plea of guilty in 2001.
He had his death sentence commuted to life imprisonment in 2002.
He has been imprisoned for 24 years, one month and 23 days, which is 8,820 days, both on Nukulau Island and at the Naboro Correction Facility.
A statement by the Fiji Corrections Services released today says the Mercy Commission, during its meeting held on September 18, 2024 reviewed the petitions for mercy submitted by the following individuals:
• Sekina Vosavakatini
• Nioni Tagici
• James Sanjesh Goundar
• Adi Livini Radininausori
• John Miller
• George Speight
• Shane Stevens
Following the Commission’s deliberations, recommendations for mercy were made, and His Excellency, the President of Fiji, acting under Section 119(5) of the Constitution, granted pardons to all of the above petitioners.
These pardons were formally granted on September 18, 2024.
As a result, the named individuals have been officially discharged from custody today, Thursday, September 19, 2024.
However, in the case of James Sanjesh Goundar, who passed away on September 6 at the Minimum Corrections Center, the pardon, unfortunately, came too late for him.
The Fiji Correction Service and the government remain committed to the principles of justice, rehabilitation, and the rule of law, and the Mercy Commission plays a vital role in ensuring that petitions for clemency are considered carefully, with due regard to the circumstances of each case.
