2000 coup leader, George Speight who is serving his life sentence for treason can only apply for a presidential pardon after he serves 12 years behind bars.
Fiji Corrections Services spokesperson, Ana Tamani confirms that Speight remains in Naboro Maximum Prison.
She said he has always been in the maximum facility after being transferred from Nukulau in December 2006.
George Speight pleaded guilty to treason when the 2000 coup trial commenced.
On 18th February 2002, Speight was sentenced to death.
The late former President Ratu Josefa Iloilo commuted Speight’s sentence to life imprisonment after the death sentence was abolished.
Tamani said Speight can apply for presidential pardon like any other prisoner after serving 12 years.
She said he has only served 10 years and is yet to indicate if he will apply for pardon.
When asked on whether George Speight is part of the Yellow Ribbon campaign, Tamani clarifies that the campaign is aimed at the community, not the offenders.
The Corrections Services said the Yellow Ribbon campaign is merely a vehicle to create awareness on the need to give offenders a second chance at life.
Tamani said the awareness and acceptance phases are complete.
They are now at the third stage where the department is challenging the community on what they can do to ensure that when an offender returns home, he does not return to prison.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
