Chaudhry Expresses Disappointment, Speight Should Reveal the Truth

Former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry has criticised the release of George Speight from prison.

The 2000 civilian coup leader was one of the seven granted a Presidential Pardon on Thursday.

The Mercy Commission reviewed the petition for mercy on Wednesday.

Mr Speight led the 2000 take over of Parliament to oust the democratically elected Mahendra Chaudhry-led government.

The May civilian coup unleashed months of anarchy and violence on the country, and sent tremors of apprehension throughout the nation.

“Particularly concerned are Indo-Fijians who were the major target of the violence and mayhem instigated by Speight and his thugs,” Mr Chaudhry said yesterday.

“Hundreds of innocent families in rural communities were traumatised, and driven from their homes and farms, victims of months of terror and violence.

“Members of the Chaudhry government were kept hostage in Parliament at gunpoint for 56 days - constantly subjected to threats, humiliation, physical and mental torture by rebel soldiers.”

Mr Chaudhry questioned who would now ensure that justice for the innocent victims of Speight’s actions are served.

He said any moves to free those guilty of treason and such horrendous crimes against humanity should have first been preceded by efforts to provide justice and a sense of reconciliation to the innocent victims of their actions.

“Treason is a serious crime carrying a mandatory life sentence. His release ahead of a Truth and Reconciliation process is disappointing as it has re-opened the outrage of 2000 without the healing that should have preceded it,” Mr Chaudhry said.

“It has undermined the nation’s sense of justice and will have far reaching consequences on national unity and people’s confidence in the current Government.

“But it does not really come as a surprise. Speight’s release was foreshadowed by an election promise made by Mr Rabuka at a rally in Nasinu just weeks before the 2022 General Elections.”

Poor priorities

Mr Chaudhry said judging by Mr Rabuka’s Government priorities since taking office, he claimed it was just a matter of time before Speight was set free following the earlier release of his co-conspirators Joe Nata and Timoci Silatolu.

Mr Nata and Mr Silatolu were given a Presidential Pardon last December.

“Now that he is a free man, one hopes Speight will reveal the truth about the 2000 coup,” Mr Chaudhry said.

“He has maintained right from the beginning that he was not the real leader/instigator of the coup.

“Indeed, at the time of his sentencing in February 2002, he told the media that “... if the Police were honest with even the shoddy evidence on the table at the moment his case was called, he would be in very distinguished company on Nukulau not only in numbers but in names as well’ (Daily Post 19/2/2002).”

“If George Speight is truly contrite about the violence and devastation his reckless actions unleashed on the nation, the least he can do in recompense is to disclose the truth about 2000.”

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