The recent release of George Speight, who played a pivotal role in a violent coup in Fiji over two decades ago, has sparked widespread concern among the population, according to Mahendra Chaudhry, leader of the Fiji Labour Party. Speight, who spent 24 years in prison for orchestrating the 2000 invasion of Parliament to remove the democratically elected government led by Chaudhry, was released on Thursday after receiving a Presidential pardon from the Mercy Commission.
Chaudhry stated, “If George Speight is genuinely remorseful for the violence and chaos he caused, he should start by revealing the truth about the events of 2000.” He also questioned who would ensure justice for the victims affected by Speight’s actions, emphasizing that any attempt to release individuals guilty of treason should be preceded by justice and reconciliation efforts for those wronged.
He highlighted that treason is a grave offense that typically carries a life sentence, and Speight’s release so soon before a planned Truth and Reconciliation process was disappointing, reopening wounds from the past without any prior healing. Chaudhry warned that this move undermines the sense of justice in the country and could have serious implications for national unity and public trust in the current administration.
Chaudhry noted that he was not surprised by Speight’s release, citing a campaign promise made by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka shortly before the 2022 elections. He suggested that the government’s priorities since taking office indicated it was only a matter of time before Speight was released, especially following the earlier pardons of his associates.
Chaudhry expressed hope that Speight would unveil the truth regarding the 2000 coup, as Speight has maintained that he was not the primary instigator of the coup.
In response to inquiries about Speight’s release, Prime Minister Rabuka stated that the proper procedures were observed by the Prerogative of Mercy Commission (PMC) before Speight’s release. Rabuka explained that the PMC conducts assessments after receiving requests for mercy from prisoners or their families, and deemed that Speight’s release was justified.