Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has dismissed claims of political interference regarding the pardoning of George Speight, the leader of the 2000 coup, and Shane Stevens, the former leader of the Counter Revolutionary Warfare Unit (CRW).
These allegations arose after supporters of Rabuka’s political party called for the release of both men during campaign meetings for the People’s Alliance leading up to the 2022 General Election, with the latest discussion taking place on September 13.
Last Thursday, Speight and Stevens were among seven individuals granted Presidential Pardons. Speight had been convicted of treason after pleading guilty in 2002, and his death sentence was later reduced to life imprisonment.
In a media statement, Rabuka emphasized that the Mercy Commission operates independently and that the pardoning decisions were made solely by the commission following its established procedures.
“The People’s Alliance stated that the 2013 Constitution and its various bodies will function without interference, including the Mercy Commission, which operates independently of the Government,” Rabuka clarified.
He reiterated, “This was the prerogative of the Mercy Commission, with no involvement from anyone in government or politics.”