Former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry has expressed deep concern following the release of George Speight, the leader of the 2000 coup, stating it has instilled fear across the nation. In a statement, Chaudhry, who leads the Fiji Labour Party, highlighted that Indo-Fijians were disproportionately affected by the violence and chaos that Speight and his followers unleashed.
He emphasized the trauma experienced by countless innocent families in rural areas who were forced to flee their homes and farms, enduring months of terror. Chaudhry recounted the harrowing experience of his government members, who were held hostage in Parliament for 56 days, enduring threats, humiliation, and physical and mental abuse at the hands of the rebel soldiers.
Chaudhry questioned who would ensure justice for the victims of Speight’s actions, criticizing any attempts to release those guilty of treason without first addressing the need for justice and reconciliation for their victims. He noted that treason is a grave offense that typically carries a life sentence, and the timing of Speight’s release—preceding a Truth and Reconciliation process—is disheartening, as it reopens wounds from 2000 without the necessary healing.
He voiced the belief that this development undermines the nation’s sense of justice and could have lasting effects on national unity and public trust in the current government. Chaudhry further mentioned that Speight’s release had been anticipated, attributed to an election promise made by the Prime Minister shortly before the 2022 general elections.
Observing the priorities of the present government, Chaudhry suggested that it was only a matter of time before Speight was released, especially following the earlier liberation of his co-conspirators, Joe Nata and Timoci Silatolu, just six months ago.
With Speight now a free man, Chaudhry expressed hope that he would disclose the truth regarding the 2000 coup, noting that Speight has previously claimed he was not the actual instigator of the coup. Chaudhry referenced a statement Speight made at the time of his sentencing in February 2002, where he asserted that honest police work would reveal he would be in distinguished company regarding those also implicated.
The former Prime Minister concluded by urging Speight, if he is genuinely remorseful about the violence his actions caused, to at least provide clarity about the events of 2000.