The Mercy Commission has confirmed that the decision to grant pardons to seven prisoners, including George Speight, the leader of the 2000 coup, was made in accordance with the Constitution.
In an official statement, the Commission clarified that the President acted upon its recommendations as outlined in Section 119(5) of the Constitution. The Commission, formed under Section 119(3), has the authority to advise the President of Fiji on matters such as providing a full or conditional pardon, delaying the execution of a sentence for a specified period, or reducing a sentence for any individual convicted of a crime.
The recommendation for Speight’s release was based on positive reports from the Fiji Corrections Services regarding his behavior, which supported a pardon. Additionally, psychological and judicial evaluations were taken into account, with the FCS endorsing his reintegration into society.
The Commission advised the President to grant mercy to Speight, suggesting that the execution of his sentence be postponed indefinitely, considering his rehabilitation and the significant duration he has served in prison. Speight was charged with treason in 2000 and entered a guilty plea in 2001. His death sentence was reduced to life imprisonment in 2002, and he has been incarcerated for over 24 years, totaling 8,820 days spent at both Nukulau Island and the Naboro Correction Facility, with no prior convictions.
In a similar case, Shane Stevens, convicted of incitement to mutiny in 2002, has served 21 years, 8 months, and 20 days—amounting to 7,934 days—at Naboro Prison. The reports and evaluations from the FCS also recommended Stevens for a pardon, highlighting his positive progress while in custody.