George Speight, the leader of the 2000 coup in Fiji, along with six others, has been officially released from custody. Speight was charged with treason and pleaded guilty in 2001, leading to his conviction. His original death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment in 2002. He has served a cumulative total of 24 years, one month, and 23 days in prison, amounting to 8,820 days, in both Nukulau Island and Naboro Correction Facility.
On September 18, 2024, the Mercy Commission reviewed petitions for mercy from several individuals, including Speight. The individuals petitioning for clemency were Sekina Vosavakatini, Nioni Tagici, Adi Livini Radininausori, John Miller, and Shane Stevens, among others. The recommendations for mercy from the Commission were approved by the President of Fiji, resulting in pardons being formally granted to all petitioners.
As a consequence, these individuals, including Speight, were discharged from custody on September 19, 2024. However, James Sanjesh Goundar, who passed away on September 6 at the Minimum Corrections Center, was among those pardoned, but unfortunately, he did not survive to benefit from the decision.
The Fiji Correction Service and the government emphasize their dedication to justice, rehabilitation, and the rule of law, highlighting the important role of the Mercy Commission in carefully considering clemency petitions based on individual circumstances.