The Mercy Commission has stated that the decision to grant pardons to seven prisoners, including George Speight, the leader of the 2000 coup, was made in accordance with the Constitution.
In a statement, the Commission clarified that the President acted based on its recommendations under Section 119(5) of the Constitution. The Mercy Commission, which operates under Section 119(3) of the Constitution, has the authority to propose that the President of Fiji grant either a free or conditional pardon, delay the enforcement of a punishment for a specified or indefinite duration, or remit all or part of a punishment for any individual convicted of a crime.
The recommendation for Speight’s release came after the Fiji Corrections Services provided positive reports on his behavior, endorsing his pardon. Additionally, psychological and judicial evaluations were conducted, with the FCS supporting his reintegration into society.
The Commission suggested that the President grant mercy to Speight, postponing his punishment for an indefinite period, in acknowledgment of his rehabilitation and the duration of his incarceration. Speight was charged with treason and pleaded guilty in 2001, having his death sentence commuted to life imprisonment in 2002. He has served a total of 24 years, 1 month, and 23 days in prison, which amounts to 8,820 days, between Nukulau Island and the Naboro Correction Facility, and he has no prior convictions.
In a related case, Shane Stevens, convicted of incitement to mutiny in 2002, has spent 21 years, 8 months, and 20 days in Naboro Prison. Evaluations and reports from the FCS have also recommended a pardon for Stevens, highlighting his positive development during his imprisonment.