Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has denied claims of political meddling in the pardoning of George Speight, the leader of the 2000 coup, and Shane Stevens, a former leader of the Counter Revolutionary Warfare Unit (CRW).
The issue came to light following calls from supporters of Rabuka’s political party during the People’s Alliance campaign events leading up to the 2022 General Election, with the latest comments made on September 13. Both Speight and Stevens were among seven individuals who received Presidential Pardons last Thursday.
Speight was charged with treason in 2002 and, after pleading guilty, was initially sentenced to death, a punishment later commuted to life imprisonment.
In a statement to the media yesterday, Rabuka emphasized that the Mercy Commission operates independently, asserting that the decision to pardon the two men was entirely within the commission’s authority and followed proper procedures.
“The People’s Alliance has affirmed that the 2013 Constitution and its components will function without interference, and the Mercy Commission is one such entity that operates independently from government influence,” Rabuka stated.
“It was the rightful duty of the Mercy Commission,” he added. “There is no involvement from anyone in the government or political sphere.”