Fiji Corrections Service (FCS) Commissioner Jalesi Nakarawa stated that there are no legal barriers preventing George Speight from seeking a mercy application. Speight, who led the 2000 coup, along with former Counter Revolutionary Warfare Unit leader Shane Stevens, were among the seven individuals granted Presidential Pardons last Thursday.
In 2001, Speight was charged with treason and pleaded guilty, receiving a death sentence that was later commuted to life imprisonment in 2002. He has served 24 years, one month, and 23 days in prison, totaling 8,820 days, across Nukulau Island and the Naboro Corrections Complex, and has no previous convictions.
Nakarawa emphasized that discussions about Speight being pardoned twice are misleading. He clarified that the circumstances surrounding the first pardon differed significantly, as it was more of a legal resolution rather than an application initiated by Speight. The death penalty was still legally upheld, but the government was in the phase of abolishing it.
“The Cabinet had agreed to the abolition, but the matter had not yet reached Parliament, leading to the court’s ruling in a legal loophole. Thus, the belief that Speight has been pardoned twice is inaccurate,” Nakarawa explained. He noted that the ultimate decision rests with the Mercy Commission.
Nakarawa shared that both Speight and Stevens were emotional upon learning about their pardon, expressing a strong desire to rebuild their lives and explore business opportunities following their lengthy incarceration. He encouraged the public to understand and appreciate the efforts made by the service while emphasizing that they handle matters in accordance with the law.