George Speight, the lead figure of the 2000 coup, along with mutineer Shane Stevens, has been released after receiving presidential pardons. Both men, along with eight others, were granted clemency by President Ratu Willame Katonivere following recommendations from the Mercy Commission.
The Mercy Commission, which operates under Section 119(3) of the Constitution, has the power to suggest that the President grant free or conditional pardons, postpone punishments for a specified period, or remit parts of sentences for those convicted.
Attempts to reach Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai, Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, for comments were unsuccessful as he is currently in Hawaii. However, the pardons for Speight and Stevens may be connected to the military’s reconciliation and restoration initiatives.
On September 11, the Mercy Commission reviewed ten petitions for mercy and recommended the release of several individuals, including:
– George Speight
– Shane Stevens
– Sekina Vosavakatini
– Nioni Tagici
– James Sanjesh Goundar
– Adi Livini Radininausori
– John Miller
– Mahendra Lal Patel
The commission clarified that its decisions were made in strict accordance with the Constitution.
George Speight, who was convicted of treason in 2001 and initially faced the death penalty—later commuted to life imprisonment in 2002—has served 24 years, one month, and 23 days in detention. Having no previous convictions and receiving favorable reports from the Fiji Corrections Service, the commission granted his pardon in acknowledgment of his rehabilitation.
Shane Stevens, convicted of incitement to mutiny in 2002, served 21 years, eight months, and 20 days, also at Naboro Correction Facility. Like Speight, he had no prior convictions, and positive evaluations contributed to the recommendation for his pardon based on his rehabilitation progress.
Additionally, Mahendra Lal Patel, sentenced in 2014 in absentia for abuse of office, previously had a petition dismissed. Following a review of his second petition in June 2024, he was granted a conditional pardon, provided he does not commit further offenses. Fiji Corrections Service Commissioner Jalesi Nakarawa confirmed that the pardons were processed according to established protocols, emphasizing that the Mercy Commission evaluates petitions before they are submitted to the President for final approval.