Fiji coup leader George Speight released after pardon

Former coup leader George Speight, sentenced to life imprisonment in Fiji in 2002 for treason, has been released from prison after being pardoned by Fiji's Mercy Commission, officials say.

Fiji's Corrections Service said in a statement that Speight was discharged from custody on Thursday, a day after being pardoned by Fiji's President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere.

Speight was among seven men pardoned and discharged, it said.

"These pardons were formally granted on 18 September 2024. As a result, the named individuals have been officially discharged from custody today," the statement said.

From May to July 2000, armed men led by businessman Speight held then prime minister Mahendra Chaudhry, Fiji's first ethnically Indian prime minister, and 35 other MPs hostage.

The Mercy Commission, which has a constitutional role in the justice system, said in a statement on Thursday that Speight had been imprisoned for 24 years after pleading guilty to treason, and having his death sentence commuted to life imprisonment in 2002.

The commission had recommended Speight be granted mercy "in recognition of his rehabilitation and the length of time he has served in prison", it said.