He was convicted of treason in February 2002 and served a sentence of life imprisonment until receiving a presidential pardon on 18 September 2024.
[9][11] He was sacked by Heaths in April 1999 following financial irregularities,[12] and from his state appointments by the Labour coalition government in August 1999.
[13] 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.
[16][17] The coup led to rioting and mob-violence in the Fijian capital Suva,[8]: 85 [3][18] and ten days later to the overthrow of President Kamisese Mara by military commander Frank Bainimarama.
[19][20] Bainimarama appointed an all-indigenous Fijian interim government on 3 July, which was rejected by Speight, leading to widespread violence across Fiji.
[8]: 206 [21][22] On 9 July, following prolonged negotiations, Speight signed the Muanikau Accord with the military,[8]: 209 agreeing to release the hostages in exchange for an amnesty for himself.