Not a Political Move: PM
Speaking to the media yesterday Mr Rabuka said the Mercy Commission was independent and the pardoning of the two men were solely the prerogative of the commission through due process.
Tuesday 24 September 2024 | 15:04
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has rejected allegations of political interference in the pardoning of George Speight, the leader of the 2000 coup, and former Counter Revolutionary Warfare Unit (CRW) leader Shane Stevens.
This newspaper inquired about the matter after supporters of his political party publicly advocated for their release during the People’s Alliance campaign meetings leading up to the 2022 General Election. The most recent discussion was on September 13.
Speight and Stevens were two of the seven people granted Presidential Pardon last Thursday.
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Mr Speight was charged with treason and convicted on his own plea of guilty in 2002. His death sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment.
Speaking to the media yesterday Mr Rabuka said the Mercy Commission was independent and the pardoning of the two men were solely the prerogative of the commission through due process.
“The People’s Alliance said the 2013 Constitution and its various apparatus will be allowed to operate, and one of those is the prerogative of the Mercy commission which works independently of any Government influence,” Mr Rabuka said.
“It was the functioning, prerogative of the Mercy Commission,” he said.
“Nothing to do with anyone in Government or politics.”
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