Nikenike Vurobaravu, President of the Republic of Vanuatu, addresses the general debate of the General Assembly’s seventy-seventh session. Photo: UN Photo/Cia Pak
Vanuatu's President Nikenike Vurobaravu has pardoned the convictions of at least 12 convicts.
Former MP Asang Sanick was among those whose convictions were pardoned.
The Daily Post reports his pardoning was done less than two months out from the Malekula by-election which is being held after the seat was vacated by Sanick, following the election petition case against him.
In 2021, he was convicted and received a suspended sentence of two years for domestic violence and for breaching the Leadership Code.
At the time of the conviction he was a deputy speaker in Parliament.
He completed 50 hours of community work as ordered by the presiding judge.
Despite his suspended sentence, the former MP was re-elected during the snap election last year.
However, in May his seat was declared vacant following a court ruling.
Other detainees who have been pardoned are five Indonesian seafarers who murdered their captain on board a Vanuatu-registered vessel.
They were sentenced to eight years' imprisonment in 2021.
Fraudster on list
Former government principal aid negotiator Victor Rory's conviction was also pardoned.
He was imprisoned in 2019 and ordered to serve eight years after he obtained more than VT14.9 million of aid money for Vanuatu's priority projects through deception.
He was released on parole before his pardoning.
Two other detainees pardoned are Li Jian Jun, a Chinese national, and Maki Jimmy, whose sentence was served earlier this year.
The Daily Post reports the Department of Correctional Services has no say in detainees' pardoning.
According to President Vurobaravu, individuals who have demonstrated a genuine commitment to community engagement and advocacy while serving their sentence have the potential to become powerful agents of positive change.
"Their journey towards transformation is an opportunity for our society to stand united in supporting their rehabilitation and reintegration into our communities," he said in a statement.
The Head of State added: "Of course, we must also balance this compassion with the need to ensure public safety. Each pardon application will be thoroughly reviewed, and only those who have truly embraced the path of reform will be considered for this exceptional opportunity."