Former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry has voiced his opposition to the release of George Speight from prison. The former leader of the 2000 civilian coup was one of seven individuals granted a Presidential Pardon last Thursday. The Mercy Commission conducted a review of the mercy petition the day before.
Speight was responsible for the 2000 takeover of Parliament, which resulted in the ousting of the democratically elected government led by Chaudhry. This coup led to a prolonged period of chaos and violence in the country, leaving residents on edge. Chaudhry highlighted that Indo-Fijians were particularly affected, being the primary targets of the violence perpetrated by Speight and his associates.
“Hundreds of innocent families in rural communities were traumatized and forced from their homes and farms, victims of months of terror and violence,” Chaudhry remarked. He also recalled that members of the Chaudhry administration were held hostage in Parliament for 56 days and faced constant threats, humiliation, and torture at the hands of rebel soldiers.
Chaudhry raised concerns over who would ensure that justice is served for the innocent victims of Speight’s actions, arguing that any measures to release those guilty of treason should have first involved efforts to deliver justice and foster reconciliation for the victims.
“Treason is a serious crime that carries a mandatory life sentence. His release before a Truth and Reconciliation process is disappointing as it revives the outrage from 2000 without the necessary healing,” Chaudhry stated. He added that this situation undermines national justice and could have long-term repercussions for national unity and public trust in the government.
He noted that Speight’s release was anticipated, referencing an election promise by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka made shortly before the 2022 General Elections.
Chaudhry criticized the priorities of Rabuka’s government and suggested that Speight’s release was inevitable following the pardons previously granted to his co-conspirators Joe Nata and Timoci Silatolu last December.
“Now that he is free, one hopes Speight will reveal the truth about the 2000 coup,” Chaudhry said, recalling that Speight has claimed he was not the actual leader of the coup. He pointed out that during his sentencing in February 2002, Speight suggested he would be in illustrious company if the police were honest about the evidence presented.
“If George Speight genuinely regrets the violence and destruction his reckless actions caused, the least he can do in restitution is to disclose the truth about the events of 2000,” Chaudhry concluded.