Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has dismissed accusations of political influence regarding the pardons granted to George Speight, the figure behind the 2000 coup, and Shane Stevens, the former leader of the Counter Revolutionary Warfare Unit (CRW). This clarification follows inquiries from a local newspaper after members of his political party publicly called for the release of the two during the People’s Alliance campaign events leading up to the 2022 General Election, with the latest comments made on September 13.
Speight and Stevens were among seven individuals who received Presidential Pardons last Thursday. Speight had been convicted of treason in 2002 after voluntarily pleading guilty, and his original death sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment.
In a media statement, Mr. Rabuka emphasized the independence of the Mercy Commission, asserting that the pardons were entirely the commission’s decision and followed proper legal procedures.
“The People’s Alliance stated that the 2013 Constitution and its various structures would function independently, including the Mercy Commission, which is not influenced by any government actions,” Mr. Rabuka explained.
He reiterated, “This is solely the prerogative of the Mercy Commission,” and added, “It has nothing to do with any government or political figures.”