21 Dec 2023

High profile prisoners released in Fiji

From , 6:02 am on 21 December 2023
Ratu Inoke Takiveikata

Ratu Inoke Takiveikata Photo: Facebook / Ben Kush

In Fiji three high profile prisoners convicted for their part in the 2000 military mutiny and coup have been granted presidential pardons.

Fiji president Ratu Wiliame Katonivere granted clemency for Naitasiri high chief Ratu Inoke Takiveikata, Timoci Silatolu and Josefa Nata at government house in Suva on Tuesday.

Ratu Inoke was convicted in 2011 for inciting mutiny at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks in 2000 while Mr Silatolu and Mr Nata were convicted of treason for their parts in the coup that followed.

RNZ Pacific Editor Koroi Hawkins spoke with Jon Fraenkel - an expert on Melanesian politics at the Victoria University of Wellington who was living in Fiji in the year 2000 when the mutiny and coup broke out.

He began by asking the professor what he thought of this week's presidential pardons.