Former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry has voiced his disapproval regarding the release of George Speight from prison. Speight, the leader behind the 2000 civilian coup, was among seven individuals granted a Presidential Pardon on Thursday. The Mercy Commission evaluated the mercy petitions the day prior.
Speight orchestrated the takeover of Parliament in 2000, which resulted in the ousting of Chaudhry’s democratically elected government. The coup triggered months of chaos and unrest within the country, creating widespread fear among its citizens.
Chaudhry expressed particular concern for the Indo-Fijian community, who were primarily affected by the violence instigated by Speight and his followers. He highlighted the trauma endured by countless families in rural areas, who were displaced and victimized during this tumultuous time. Chaudhry also recalled that members of his government endured 56 days of captivity under armed threats in Parliament, facing continuous intimidation and suffering physical and mental abuse at the hands of rebel soldiers.
Chaudhry questioned the mechanisms in place to deliver justice for the victims of Speight’s actions. He argued that any steps towards freeing individuals found guilty of treason should have been contingent on addressing the injustices faced by innocent victims first.
“Treason is a serious crime carrying a mandatory life sentence. His release before a Truth and Reconciliation process is disappointing, as it has reignited the trauma of 2000 without allowing for the healing that should have occurred beforehand,” Chaudhry remarked. He warned that this decision undermines the country’s justice system and could damage national unity and public trust in the current government.
Chaudhry pointed out that the release of Speight was hinted at by an election promise made by Prime Minister Rabuka shortly before the 2022 General Elections. He suggested that the current government’s priorities indicated it was only a matter of time before Speight would be freed, following the prior pardons of his co-conspirators, Joe Nata and Timoci Silatolu, who received their pardons last December.
With Speight now a free man, Chaudhry hopes he will reveal the truth surrounding the 2000 coup. He noted that Speight has previously claimed he was not the coup’s actual leader. During his sentencing in February 2002, Speight suggested that if the police were honest about the available evidence, he would be alongside prominent figures serving time.
“If George Speight is genuinely remorseful for the chaos and devastation caused by his actions, the least he can do is disclose the truth about the events of 2000,” Chaudhry concluded.