Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has dismissed claims of political interference regarding the pardoning of George Speight, the instigator of the 2000 coup, and former Counter Revolutionary Warfare Unit leader Shane Stevens.
This response comes after members of his political party advocated for their release during campaign gatherings for the People’s Alliance ahead of the 2022 General Election, with the latest discussions taking place on September 13.
Last Thursday, Speight and Stevens were among seven individuals who received Presidential Pardons. Speight had been convicted of treason in 2002 after pleading guilty, which initially led to a death sentence that was later reduced to life in prison.
In a statement to the media, Mr. Rabuka emphasized that the Mercy Commission operates independently and that the pardoning process was strictly under the commission’s authority, executed through established procedures.
“The People’s Alliance ensures that the 2013 Constitution and its constituents will function without interference, including the Mercy Commission, which operates independently of government influence,” Mr. Rabuka stated.
He reiterated, “It was the authority of the Mercy Commission, with no connection to government or political agendas.”