Former coup leader George Speight and ex-military officer Shane Stevens have been granted presidential pardons and are now free. This development was confirmed by Dr. Jalesi Nakarawa, Commissioner of the Fiji Corrections Service.
The Mercy Commission met yesterday to review mercy petitions submitted by Speight, Stevens, and five other individuals. Following their discussion, the Commission made recommendations for mercy, which were subsequently approved by the President of Fiji under Section 119(5) of the Constitution. The pardons were officially granted on September 18, 2024.
As a result, Speight, Stevens, and the other five individuals have been released from custody. The additional five pardoned individuals include Sekina Vosavakatini, Nioni Tagici, Adi Livini Radininausori, and John Miller. However, it is noted that James Sanjesh Goundar, who passed away on September 6 at the Minimum Corrections Center, did not receive his pardon in time.