20 Plus Years Later

Convicted 2000 coup lead­er George Speight and mutineer Shane Stevens have been released after being granted presidential pardons.

Along with eight others, the duo received pardons yesterday from President Ratu Willame Katonivere, following recom­mendations by the Mercy Com­mission.

The Mercy Commission, es­tablished under Section 119(3) of the Constitution, has the authority to recommend that the President: (a) grant a free or conditional pardon, (b) postpone the carrying out of a punishment for a specific or indefinite period, or (c) remit all or part of a punishment for convicted individuals.

Efforts to contact the Com­mander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai for a com­ment, were unsuccessful.

He is currently in Hawaii. However, the release of Spei­ght and Stevens could be well aligned with the RFMF's reconciliation and restoration pro-gramme.

On September 11, the Commission reviewed 10 mercy petitions, ultimately recommending the release of the following individuals:

- George Speight

- Shane Stevens

- Sekina Vosavakatini

- Nioni Tagici

- James Sanjesh Goundar

- Adi Livini Radininausori

- John Miller

- Mahendra Lal Patel

The commission stated that its deci-sions were made in full accordance with the Constitution.

George Speight’s Petition

Speight, who was convicted of treason in 2001 after pleading guilty, initially faced a death sentence, later commuted to life imprisonment in 2002.

He had served 24 years, 1 month, and 23 days, totalling 8820 days, at Nukulau Island and Naboro Correction Facility. Having no prior convictions, and with positive reports from Fiji Corrections Services (FCS) regarding his behaviour, the commission recommended his pardon in recognition of his rehabilitation and the time served.

Shane Stevens’ Petition

Stevens was convicted of incitement to mutiny in 2002 and had served 21 years, eight months, and 20 days, amounting to 7934 days at Naboro Correction Facility.

Like Speight, Stevens had no previous convictions.

The FCS provided positive reports, and the commission recommended his pardon based on his progress in prison and rehabilitation.

Mahendra Patel’s Petition

Mahendra Lal Patel, convicted of abuse of office in 2006 and sentenced in absentia to 12 months’ imprisonment in 2014, had an earlier petition dismissed. However, after his second petition was reviewed in June 2024, the commission considered his age, the time spent out-side Fiji, and his contributions to the nation.

He was granted a conditional pardon, provided he does not reoffend.

Fiji Corrections Service Commissioner Jalesi Nakarawa confirmed that the pardons followed due process.

“The Mercy Commission reviews the prisoners’ petitions, which are then submitted to the President for final approval,” he said.

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