George Speight has put family first following his release from prison after serving 24 years. Speight, who was convicted of treason for leading the coup in 2000, was granted a presidential pardon last Thursday, ending his life sentence.
Since his release, he has been avoiding media attention, focusing instead on the reunion with his older brother, Sam Speight, who traveled from Hamilton, New Zealand, to see him. Sam arrived on Friday, and their reunion was emotional.
Jacqueline “Jackie” Speight, Speight’s niece, expressed the significance of the moment, saying, “Reunited after 24 long years, the brothers come together in freedom, celebrating the love, memories, and unbreakable bond that time can’t erase.” She added, “It is family first. A season of gratitude.”
She noted that the circumstances surrounding his release were unexpected and will remain forever in her memory. Mr. Speight’s younger siblings, Jim, Esther, and Salome, also live overseas, as does their 93-year-old father, Sam Speight Sr.
Meanwhile, family members in Naivicula, Wainibuka, Tailevu, are eager to meet him. A relative, wishing to remain anonymous, reflected on the passage of time, saying, “He went in when he was 43; he is returning home now at 67. We’re looking forward to meeting him.”