Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has dismissed claims of political interference in the recent pardons of George Speight, the leader of the 2000 coup, and Shane Stevens, former head of the Counter Revolutionary Warfare Unit (CRW).
The inquiry arose after members of his political party publicly called for their release during campaign events of the People’s Alliance leading up to the 2022 General Election, with the latest discussion occurring on September 13.
Both Speight and Stevens were among seven individuals granted a Presidential Pardon last Thursday. Speight had been sentenced to death after pleading guilty to treason in 2002, but his sentence was later reduced to life imprisonment.
Addressing the media, Mr. Rabuka emphasized that the Mercy Commission operates independently, and the decision to pardon the two men was entirely within the commission’s jurisdiction and followed appropriate procedures.
“The People’s Alliance has said that the 2013 Constitution and its various institutions will be allowed to function, and the Mercy Commission is among them, operating free from any government influence,” Mr. Rabuka stated.
He reiterated, “It is the responsibility of the Mercy Commission, completely independent from any political or governmental involvement.”