Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has dismissed claims of political interference regarding the pardoning of George Speight, the leader of the 2000 coup, and former Counter Revolutionary Warfare Unit leader Shane Stevens.
The media raised questions after supporters of Rabuka’s political party promoted their release during campaign meetings for the People’s Alliance leading up to the 2022 General Election, with the latest discussion occurring on September 13.
Speight and Stevens were among seven individuals who received a Presidential Pardon last Thursday. Speight, who had been charged with treason, pleaded guilty in 2002 and originally received a death sentence, which was later commuted to life in prison.
In a media briefing, Rabuka emphasized that the Mercy Commission operates independently and that the decision to pardon the two men was made solely by the commission through due process.
“The People’s Alliance stated that the 2013 Constitution and its various bodies would function without interference, including the prerogative of the Mercy Commission, which operates independently of any governmental influence,” Rabuka stated.
He reiterated, “This is solely the prerogative of the Mercy Commission and has nothing to do with anyone in Government or politics.”