George Speight

George Speight ({{IPAc-en|s|p|eɪ|t}};{{cite web |title=Pronounce - Browse all names for Fiji |url=https://pronounce.voanews.com/browse-oneregion.php?region=fiji |website=Voice of America Pronounce |access-date=2 July 2023}} born 1957), also known by his pseudonym Ilikimi Naitini,{{cite web |url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0106/S00003.htm |title=The Treason Charge |publisher=Scoop |date=1 June 2001 |access-date=18 January 2023}} is a Fijian businessman and politician who was the leader of the 2000 Fijian coup d'état, in which he and rebel soldiers from Fiji's Counter Revolutionary Warfare Unit seized the Fijian Parliament and held Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry and 35 other MP's hostage from 19 May 2000 to 13 July 2000. He was convicted of treason in February 2002 and served a sentence of life imprisonment until receiving a presidential pardon on 18 September 2024.

Speight is the son of politician Sam Speight,{{cite web |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/coup-leader-speight-got-in-first/REUMU3LLAUDGASXZKLOOZFWXFA/ |title=Coup leader Speight 'got in first' |publisher=New Zealand Herald |date= |access-date=22 December 2022}} the brother of politician Samisoni Tikoinasau and the uncle of rugby players Henry and Sam Speight.{{cite web |url=https://pmc.aut.ac.nz/index.php/pacific-media-watch/fiji-sport-uncle-george-speight-factor-7391 |title=FIJI: Sport - The 'Uncle George' Speight factor |publisher=Pacific Media Centre |author=John-Paul Moloney |date=13 April 2011 |access-date=22 December 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Dutton |first1=Chris |title=Saturday Serve: Henry Speight's siblings need a helping hand from Scott Morrison |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-union/saturday-serve-henry-speights-siblings-need-a-helping-hand-from-scott-morrison-20140801-zzdu6.html |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=1 August 2014 |language=en}}

Personal life

Speight was born in Naivicula, Fiji,{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/jun/06/fiji.johnaglionby |title=Speight: Fiji village boy with a big mouth and ambitions |work=The Guardian |author=John Aglionby |date=6 June 2000 |access-date=22 December 2022}} and educated at Suva Grammar School.{{cite book |url=https://openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au/bitstream/1885/128824/1/Speight_of_Violence.pdf |title=Speight of Violence : Inside Fiji's 2000 coup |last1=Field |first1=Michael |last2=Baba |first2=Tupeni |last3=Nabobo-Baba |first3=Unaisi |publisher=Pandanus Books |location=Canberra |year=2005 |access-date=22 December 2022 |isbn=9781740761703}}{{rp|91}} before studying marketing in Australia and business at Andrews University in the United States.{{rp|91}}{{Britannica|711301}} After graduating he worked in Australia as a bank clerk for Metway Bank, and was involved in the Wattle Group pyramid scheme.{{cite web |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/criminal-on-a-warrior-mission/YARH6U3C6FEZJEMEHVLRZJWZNM/ |title='Criminal' on a warrior mission |publisher=New Zealand Herald |date= |access-date=22 December 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.moneymanagement.com.au/news/financial-planning/fiji-coup-leader-linked-failed-wattle-scheme |title=Fiji coup leader linked to failed Wattle scheme |author=Jason Spits |publisher=Monaey Management |date=9 June 2000 |access-date=22 December 2022}} After returning to Fiji in 1996 he worked as an insurance broker for Heaths Insurance Group.{{cite web |url=https://www.abc.net.au/pm/stories/s129132.htm |title=Who is George Speight? |publisher=ABC |date=19 May 2000 |access-date=22 December 2022}} In 1998 he was appointed chair of the state-owned Fiji Pine and Fiji Hardwood Corporation by the Rabuka government, in which his father was serving as a Minister. He was sacked by Heaths in April 1999 following financial irregularities, and from his state appointments by the Labour coalition government in August 1999.{{cite web |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/timber-behind-fiji-coup-20000905 |title=Timber behind Fiji coup? |publisher=News24 |date=5 September 2000 |access-date=22 December 2022}} It later emerged that he had been paid consultancy fees by American timber company Trans Resource Management, to advocate for them to be granted the right to harvest Fiji's mahogany.{{rp|64}}{{cite web |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=20000701&slug=4029600 |title=Money from Bellevue firm figures in Fiji allegations |publisher=Seattle Times |date=1 July 2000 |access-date=22 December 2022}}

In early 2000, just days before the coup, he pleaded not guilty to exchange rate charges and extortion.{{rp|92}}

Fiji coup of 2000

On 19 May 2000 a group of armed men led by Speight stormed the Fijian Parliament and took the government hostage.{{cite web |url=http://www.journalism.uts.edu.au/archive/fiji_coup/0519gunseize.html |title=GUNMEN SEIZE PRIME MINISTER HOSTAGE IN FIJI COUP BID |publisher=Fiji Crisis |author=Sheryl Ho |date=19 May 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030322085643/http://www.journalism.uts.edu.au/archive/fiji_coup/0519gunseize.html |archive-date=22 March 2003}}{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/may/19/marktran |title=Fiji's PM seized in coup |work=The Guardian |date=19 May 2000 |access-date=19 February 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-may-19-mn-31790-story.html |title=Gunmen Storm Fiji's Parliament, Announce Government Takeover |work=Los Angeles Times |date=19 May 2000 |access-date=19 February 2022}} Speight claimed to have seized power on behalf of ethnic Fijians, and purported to have revoked the 1997 constitution and appointed himself interim president and opposition MP Timoci Silatolu as interim Prime Minister.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2000/may/20/fromthearchive |title=Fiji's leaders held hostage in 'ethnic' coup |publisher=Guardian |date=20 May 2000 |access-date=20 February 2022}} The coup led to rioting and mob-violence in the Fijian capital Suva,{{rp|85}}{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-may-29-mn-35213-story.html |title=Fijian Police Officer Killed During Melee |work=Los Angeles Times |date=29 May 2000 |access-date=20 February 2022}} and ten days later to the overthrow of President Kamisese Mara by military commander Frank Bainimarama.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/05/30/world/fiji-military-takes-control-and-declares-martial-law.html |title=Fiji Military Takes Control And Declares Martial Law |work=New York Times |date=30 May 2000 |access-date=20 February 2022}}{{cite web |url=http://www.journalism.uts.edu.au/archive/fiji_coup/0530constitution.html |title=Three new decrees revoke Fiji's Constitution |publisher=Fiji Crisis |date=30 May 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030322090457/http://www.journalism.uts.edu.au/archive/fiji_coup/0530constitution.html |archive-date=22 March 2003}} Bainimarama appointed an all-indigenous Fijian interim government on 3 July, which was rejected by Speight, leading to widespread violence across Fiji.{{rp|206}}{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/jul/04/fiji1 |title=Fiji rebels wounded in parliament shooting |work=The Guardian |date=4 July 2000 |access-date=21 December 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.deseret.com/2000/7/8/19517092/supporters-of-fiji-coup-grab-more-hostages |title=Supporters of Fiji coup grab more hostages |publisher=Deseret News |date=8 July 2000 |access-date=21 December 2022}}

On 9 July, following prolonged negotiations, Speight signed the Muanikau Accord with the military,{{rp|209}} agreeing to release the hostages in exchange for an amnesty for himself. All his key demands had been met.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/jul/13/qanda.marktran |title=Fiji coup |work=The Guardian |date=13 July 2000 |access-date=21 December 2022}} The last hostages were released on 13 July.{{cite web |url=https://apnews.com/article/74a198025db713e897ffb77033682308 |title=Hostage Crisis Ends in Fiji |publisher=AP News |author=Paul Alexander |date=14 July 2000 |access-date=21 December 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/jul/13/fiji |title=Fiji hostage crisis ends |work=The Guardian |date=13 July 2000 |access-date=21 December 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/fijis-isolation-grows-as-last-hostages-freed/article4165962/ |title=Fiji's isolation grows as last hostages freed |publisher=The Globe and Mail |date=14 July 2000 |access-date=21 December 2022}}

Following the return of hostages and weapons, Speight and his followers moved to Kalabu Fijian School on the outskirts of Suva,{{rp|229}} where they continued to lobby over the makeup of the interim government and demand control of key portfolios.{{rp|230-231}}{{cite web |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2000/ASIANOW/australasia/07/22/fiji.unrest.reut/ |title=Fiji rebels demand PM be replaced with woman chief |publisher=CNN |date=22 July 2000 |access-date=21 December 2022}} When the government rejected his demands, his spokesman Joe Nata threatened civil war.{{rp|231}}

Arrest and trial

On 26 July Speight and three others were arrested at a military checkpoint following threats to President Josefa Iloilo.{{cite web |url=http://www.journalism.uts.edu.au/archive/fiji_coup/0727arrested.html |title=REBEL LEADER GEORGE SPEIGHT ARRESTED |publisher=Fiji Crisis |date=27 July 2000 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030224151940/http://www.journalism.uts.edu.au/archive/fiji_coup/0727arrested.html |archive-date=24 February 2003}}{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/jul/26/fiji |title=Fiji: Speight reported arrested |work=The Guardian |date=26 July 2000 |access-date=21 December 2022}} The military then stormed his headquarters, killing one person and arresting 369 supporters.{{cite web |url=http://www.journalism.uts.edu.au/archive/fiji_coup/0727dead.html |title=MILITARY STORM REBELS - 1 DEAD, 40 WOUNDED |publisher=Fiji Crisis |date=27 July 2000 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030224153119/http://www.journalism.uts.edu.au/archive/fiji_coup/0727dead.html |archive-date=24 February 2003}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/07/27/world/coup-leader-in-fiji-is-arrested-by-the-military.html |title=Coup Leader in Fiji Is Arrested by the Military |work=New York Times |date=27 July 2000 |access-date=21 December 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=83055&page=1 |title=Fiji Coup Leader Speight Arrested |publisher=ABC News |author=Marie McInerney |date=27 July 2000 |access-date=21 December 2022}} On 11 August 2000 he was charged with treason and imprisoned pending trial.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/aug/12/fiji |title=Speight on treason charge |work=The Guardian |date=12 August 2000 |access-date=22 December 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/speight-on-double-treason-charge/S4GN6Y7AQQPBXRVAFFRK6XWUUI/ |title=Speight on double treason charge |publisher=New Zealand Herald |date= |access-date=22 December 2022}}

In the 2001 Fijian general election, while still awaiting trial, Speight was elected to Parliament in the Tailevu North Fijian communal seat as a candidate for the Conservative Alliance-Matanitu Vanua.{{cite web |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/world/arid-30022618.html |title=Fiji coup leader elected to Parliament |publisher=Irish Examiner |date=5 September 2001 |access-date=22 December 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2001/sep/05/fiji |title=Fiji coup leader wins parliamentary seat |work=The Guardian |date=5 September 2001 |access-date=22 December 2022}} In December 2001 he was dismissed from Parliament for non-attendance.{{cite web |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/speight-loses-seat-in-parliament/TPTIT5ENMUBM4IBMAO7QQJBVMM/ |title=Speight loses seat in Parliament |publisher=New Zealand Herald |date= |access-date=22 December 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/world/arid-30032596.html |title=Fiji coup leader dismissed from parliament |publisher=Irish Examiner |date=9 December 2001 |access-date=22 December 2022}}

On 18 February 2002 Speight pleaded guilty to treason and was sentenced to death.{{cite web |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/speight-sentenced-to-death/332DFABXJJBGBX4EO6IER34N7I/ |title=Speight sentenced to death |publisher=New Zealand Herald |date=18 February 2002 |access-date=20 February 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/feb/18/fiji.paulkelso |title=Fiji coup leader sentenced to die |work=The Guardian |date=18 February 2002 |access-date=20 February 2022}} The sentence was commuted to life imprisonment the same day by President Ratu Josefa Iloilo.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/1828650.stm |title=Jail for Fiji rebels |publisher=BBC |date=19 February 2002 |access-date=20 February 2022}} Initially imprisoned on Nukulau island, in 2006 he was transferred to the Naboro Maximum Security Prison after Nukulau's closure.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/166965/speight-back-in-fiji-mainland-jail |title=Speight back in Fiji mainland jail |publisher=RNZ |date=20 December 2006 |access-date=22 December 2022}}

In response to calls for his parole in 2020, Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said that there would be no special treatment for him.{{cite news|url=https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/no-special-treatment-for-george-speight/|title=No special treatment for George Speight|author=Edwin Nand|date=December 11, 2020|work=FBC News}}

On 18 September 2024 Speight was granted a presidential pardon. He was released from prison the next day.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/528473/fiji-coup-leader-george-speight-granted-presidential-pardon |title=Fiji coup leader George Speight granted Presidential pardon |publisher=RNZ |date=19 September 2024 |access-date=19 September 2024}}