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\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8550574\charrsid9120452 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI
\par AT SUVA
\par CRIMINAL JURISDICTION
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9120452 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8550574\charrsid9120452 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9120452 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8550574\charrsid12472520 CRIMINAL ACTION NO: HAC 011 OF 2001
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\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9120452 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8550574\charrsid9120452 ILIKIMI NAITINI }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8550574\charrsid11865044 a.k.a.}{
\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8550574\charrsid9120452  GEORGE SPEIGHT
\par & OTHERS
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9120452 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8550574\charrsid9120452 
\par BEFORE THE HON. MR JUSTICE M.D. SCOTT
\par MONDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2002
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9120452 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8550574\charrsid9120452 MITIGATION BY MR CANNON}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8550574\charrsid9120452 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9120452 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8550574\charrsid9120452 
\par I am very obliged, your Lordship, for the assistance given to me in respect of this very difficult matter, and I also appreciate that this is not a plea of mitigation because with the mandatory death penalty, you have no alternative other than to pronounc
e the sentence of death.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9120452  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8550574\charrsid9120452 
I know to all judges that that is an extremely distasteful task, but you are bound by the law and Mr Speight has informed me that he appreciates that you must do your duty.
\par 
\par However, in view of the tensions that have existed in Fiji
 in respect of this particular hearing, Mr Speight also makes it very clear to his supporters that they must not in any effort to show their support of him or their anxiety about his physical welfare in the future, do any act which may be regarded as diso
rderly and which would bring the good name of Fiji into a situation where it would be regarded as an unstable country.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9120452  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8550574\charrsid9120452 
And I have conveyed that message to his supporters on his behalf and before you pronounce the death sentence, I would like you to be assured that this was his express instructions.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9120452  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8550574\charrsid9120452 
The death penalty is an anachronism today and of course public announcements have in fact been made by the Attorney-General quite properly - not in respect of this particular case, but to delete the death penalty 
from the penal code so that Fiji will go into the 21st century with no death penalty, and this is in accordance with the beliefs of most other countries that such a punishment is a cruel and unusual punishment.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9120452  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8550574\charrsid9120452 So in respect of this matter, he has no fear,
 and we have been given every assurance that the penalty which unfortunately you have to pronounce will not be carried out.
\par 
\par Now, my learned colleagues for the prosecution have given us every assistance.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9120452  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8550574\charrsid9120452 Every detail has in fact been explained to Mr George Speight.}
{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9120452  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8550574\charrsid9120452 He has acknowledged that he was the leader of this group.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9120452  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8550574\charrsid9120452 He is loyal to the members of that group, and dismayed by the plight that his leadership has placed those people in.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9120452  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8550574\charrsid9120452 And he has pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity, so that h
is followers would reap the benefits of his plea of guilty to this extremely serious charge, and his repentance that, by his actions, he has disturbed the tranquillity and good name of Fiji.
\par 
\par Now, I appreciate that you have to put in a report.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9120452  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8550574\charrsid9120452 And as my le
arned friend has indicated to you, in the interests of a tranquil transition, that report would certainly assist us if it were submitted as soon as possible.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9120452  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8550574\charrsid9120452 My learned friend has also mentioned Article 115 of the Constitution of the Republic of Fiji, and 
the documents to be submitted to the President, and the Members of the Commission are already at the President\rquote s office, so that this matter can be quickly disposed of to prevent any further tension.
\par 
\par Now, having said that, I would be wasting your time, and it is emotionally draining, in view of the pronouncement of the death penalty, for me to continue.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9120452  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8550574\charrsid9120452 He just wants everybody to accept that he has pleaded guilty to save the State of Fiji from any further instability.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9120452  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8550574\charrsid9120452 But of course, he does acknowledge tha
t what he did was unlawful, and to attempt to change the Constitution or the Government by unlawful means, comes fairly and squarely within the meaning of treason.
\par 
\par Now, with that, sir, I have nothing further to add, and I will allow you, then, to consider your report.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9120452  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8550574\charrsid9120452 
The matters which you have to consider are limited, by the very nature of the mandatory death penalty, and when that report is available, then he will ultimately know his fate.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9120452  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8550574\charrsid9120452 Treason has always been a political crime, and the sentence for treason is best left in the hands of the politicians.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9120452  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8550574\charrsid9120452 It is a Fijian problem which requires a Fijian solution.
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5833469 {\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8550574\charrsid9120452 SENTENCE BY JUSTICE SCOTT}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8550574\charrsid9120452 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9120452 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8550574\charrsid9120452 
\par Please stand up, George Speight.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9120452  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8550574\charrsid9120452 George Speight, you have been convicted, on your own plea, of treason, the most serio
us criminal charge against the nation.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9120452  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8550574\charrsid9120452 The events of May 2000 were an unmitigated catastrophe, not only for Fiji, but also for you.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9120452  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8550574\charrsid9120452 By pleading guilty, you have done the right thing and, for all the reasons given by Mr Cannon, I am certain that you will be
 given credit for the course that you have taken.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9120452  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8550574\charrsid9120452 
As pointed out by counsel, I have no option but to pass the sentence upon you which is laid down by law.
\par 
\par George Speight, the sentence of the court upon you is that you be taken from this place to a lawful prison, and thence to a place of execution, and that you there suffer death by hanging.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9120452  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8550574\charrsid9120452 And may the Lord have mercy upon your soul.
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11293215 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8550574\charrsid9120452 M.D. Scott
\par }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8550574\charrsid9120452 JUDGE}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8550574\charrsid9120452 
\par }}