Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has dismissed claims of political influence regarding the pardoning of George Speight, the leader of the 2000 coup, and former Counter Revolutionary Warfare Unit leader Shane Stevens.
The inquiries surfaced after supporters of his political party advocated for the men’s release during the People’s Alliance campaign meetings ahead of the 2022 General Election, with discussions continuing as recently as September 13.
Speight and Stevens were among seven individuals who received Presidential Pardons last Thursday. Speight was convicted of treason in 2002 after pleading guilty, and his death sentence was later changed to life imprisonment.
In a recent media interaction, Mr. Rabuka emphasized the independence of the Mercy Commission, asserting that the decision to grant pardons was made solely by the commission through the established process.
“The People’s Alliance affirmed that the 2013 Constitution and its various mechanisms will operate without interference, including the prerogative of the Mercy Commission, which functions independently of government influence,” Mr. Rabuka stated.
He reiterated that the pardoning process was the responsibility of the Mercy Commission alone, stating, “It has nothing to do with anyone in government or politics.”