A report from Fiji says most of the prisoners convicted for taking part in the May 2000 coup and held on the island of Nukulau could be home in time for Christmas.
The Daily Post newspaper reports that the prisoners, apart from the coup's front man, George Speight, are hoping their appeals to be released under compulsory supervision orders will be approved.
The Commissioner of Prisons, Aisea Taoka, has confirmed receiving the appeals and says if the prisoners meet the criteria, he will have to allow them to serve the rest of their terms under such supervision orders.
Under the compulsory supervision programme, prisoners can serve part of their sentences from home doing community work and reporting to police stations regularly.
