George Speight, known for leading the 2000 coup in Fiji, has been released from prison after receiving a Presidential pardon. Along with him, former military officer Shane Stevens was also granted a pardon and discharged from custody yesterday.
Speight was serving a life sentence after being convicted of treason in 2002. His imprisonment lasted for 24 years, 1 month, and 23 days, totaling 8,820 days, during which he was held on Nukulau Island and at the Naboro Correction Facility.
The Mercy Commission stated that Speight’s behavior while incarcerated was positive, leading to the recommendation for his pardon. Psychological and judicial assessments were also taken into account, with the Fiji Corrections Service supporting his reintegration into society.
Alongside Speight and Stevens, several others were released, including Sekina Vosavakatini, Nioni Tagici, James Sanjesh Goundar, Adi Livini Radininausori, and John Miller. A statement from the Fiji Corrections Service indicated that the Mercy Commission carefully reviewed each case before recommending mercy, with the President granting pardons under Section 119(5) of the Constitution.
These pardons were formally issued on September 18, 2024, allowing for the official discharge of the individuals mentioned. Unfortunately, James Sanjesh Goundar passed away on September 6 at the Minimum Corrections Center, making the pardon ineffective for him.
The Fiji government reaffirmed its commitment to justice, rehabilitation, and the rule of law, emphasizing the importance of the Mercy Commission in handling clemency petitions with careful consideration. Last December, others who were incarcerated alongside Speight for the same crime were also pardoned, including Naitasiri high chief Ratu Inoke Takiveikata, Timoci Silatolu, and Josefa Nata.