The Mercy Commission says the decision to pardon seven prisoners including 2000 Coup leader George Speight, was made following the Constitution.

In a statement, the Commission said that the President has acted on the Mercy Commission’s recommendations under Section 119(5) of the Constitution.

The Mercy Commission established under section 119(3) of the Constitution, has the power to recommend the President of Fiji: (a) grant a free or conditional pardon, (b) postpone the carrying out of a punishment for a specific or indeterminate period, or (c) remit all or part of a punishment for every person convicted of a criminal offence.

The commission for the release of Speight , the Fiji Corrections Services provided positive reports on Speight’s behaviour, recommending a pardon.

Psychological and judicial assessments were also reviewed, with the FCS supporting his reintegration into society.

The Commission had recommended that the President grant mercy to Speight, postponing the carrying out of his punishment for an indeterminate period, in recognition of his rehabilitation and the length of time he has served in prison.

Speight was charged with treason and convicted on his own plea of guilty in 2001.

He had his death sentence commuted to life imprisonment in 2002. Speight has been imprisoned for 24 years, 1 month and 23 days, which is 8,820 days, both on Nukulau Island and at the Naboro Correction Facility.

He had no previous convictions.

Meanwhile, Shane Stevens was convicted of Incitement to Mutiny in 2002.
Stevens has been incarcerated in jail for a total of 21 years, 8 months and 20 days, which is 7,934 days at Naboro Prison.

Reports and Evaluations from FCS recommended Stevens for a pardon, citing his positive progress during imprisonment.