2000 coup leader George Speight and Counter Revolutionary Warfare leader Shane Stevens have been granted Presidential pardons.
They have been officially discharged from custody.
The two are among seven pardoned by the Mercy Commission, during its meeting held yesterday, who reviewed the petitions.
Speight was serving a life sentence for the charge of treason while Stevens was serving a life sentence for the charge of mutiny.
Also released are Sekina Vosavakatini, Nioni Tagici, James Sanjesh Goundar, Adi Livini Radininausori and John Miller.
The Mercy Commission which was established under section 119(3) of the Constitution, has the power to recommend to 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 Mercy Commission says on 11th September 2024, they reviewed a total of 10 Mercy petitions.
They say after careful deliberation, the Commission made recommendations regarding the petitions of Mahendralal Patel, George Ilikini Naitini Speight, and Shane Gurt Nailatikau Stevens, along with seven others.
The Commission says Mahendralal Patel, also known as Mahendra Motibhai Patel, was charged with Abuse of Office in 2006, and convicted in absentia on 20th November 2014.
They say he was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment.
An earlier petition to the Mercy Commission was submitted by Patel on 4th April, 2023 and was dismissed.
They say on 13th June 2024, the Commission received a letter for reconsideration of Patel’s petition from his lawyers.
The Commission deliberated on his second petition and took into account his age, the length of time he was away from Fiji and his substantial contribution to the nation.
As a result, the Commission recommended a conditional pardon for Patel, contingent on his not reoffending.
The Commission says George Speight was charged with treason and convicted on his own plea of guilty in 2001.
They say he had his death sentence commuted to life imprisonment in 2002, and 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 Corrections Facility.
He had no previous convictions.
The Commission says the Fiji Corrections Service provided positive reports on Speight's behaviour, recommending a pardon.
They say psychological and judicial assessments were also reviewed, with the Fiji Corrections Service supporting his reintegration into society.
The Commission then 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.
The Mercy Commission says Shane Stevens was convicted of Incitement to Mutiny in 2002.
They say 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.
He had no previous convictions.
The Commission says reports and evaluations from the Fiji Corrections Service recommended Stevens for a pardon, citing his positive progress during imprisonment.
They say after careful consideration, the Commission has recommended that Stevens be granted mercy by postponing the carrying out of his punishment for an indeterminate period.
The Commission says President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, has acted on the recommendations of the Mercy Commission under Section 119(5) of the Constitution on 18th September 2024. The Commission confirms that its decisions have been made in accordance with the Constitution.
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