Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has dismissed claims of political interference regarding the pardoning of George Speight, the leader of the 2000 coup, and former Counter Revolutionary Warfare Unit (CRW) leader Shane Stevens.
The inquiry arose after supporters of his political party called for their release during campaign events for the People’s Alliance ahead of the 2022 General Election, with the latest comments made on September 13.
Both Speight and Stevens were among seven individuals who received a Presidential Pardon last Thursday. Speight was initially charged with treason, for which he pleaded guilty in 2002, and his death sentence was changed to life imprisonment.
In a media statement yesterday, Mr. Rabuka emphasized that the Mercy Commission operates independently, and the decision to grant pardons to the two men was made solely by this commission through established procedures.
“The People’s Alliance stated that the 2013 Constitution and its various mechanisms will be upheld, including the prerogative of the Mercy Commission, which operates independently of government influence,” Mr. Rabuka said.
He clarified, “It was the operation and prerogative of the Mercy Commission, with no involvement from anyone in government or politics.”