Mercy Comm is not necessarily being set up to release Speight, everybody will have to apply to the Mercy Commission - PM

Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka says the Mercy Commission is not necessarily being set up to release George Speight, everybody will have to apply to the Mercy Commission and it will be the Commission that will decide.

Rabuka stresses that no one has said Speight will be released.

The Prime Minister says all the government is setting up is the Mercy Commission as provided for under the 2013 constitution of which the previous administration had reasons best known to them why it was never convened.

Whether the 2000 coup leader, George Speight who has been in prison after being convicted of treason, will apply to be heard by the Mercy Commission when it is established is known only to him.

Rabuka had also said on Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan last month that no one including Speight will be singled out and released, as people will have to apply to the Mercy Commission, and the Commission will make the decision.

Speight was sentenced to death after he pleaded guilty to treason in 2002.

This was commuted to life imprisonment after an application for pardon to the Prerogative of Mercy Commission.