The Fiji government says it does not support the release of the coup front man, George Speight, or any other prisoner.
The Attorney General, Qorinasi Bale, says the government only recognises their right to be released if it is legally permitted.
The Fiji Sun newspaper say Mr Bale has made the comments in response to a report by Amnesty International that said members of the government were campaigning for Speight's release.
Amnesty also said the army had been pressured to go easy on soliders facing court martial over their alleged involvement in the coup.
Mr Bale dismissed Amnesty's criticism saying it was based on an inexcusable ignorance of the facts.
But he said said the government could not deny anyone their legal right to campaign for Speight's release.
