SUVA, Fiji - A Fijian nationalist was sentenced to death Monday for leading a coup two years ago that plunged the Pacific island country into political and economic turmoil.

His lawyers said they expect the sentence to be reduced to life in prison.

George Speight led an armed overthrow in May 2000 of the country's first ethnic-Indian premier, seizing Parliament and taking the prime minister, the cabinet and other legislators hostage. He said he led the coup in order to win back political power for the indigenous Fijians, who make up 51 per cent of the population.

Sitting in the court dock on what was to be the first day of his trial, Speight wept with his head bowed as Justice Michael Scott sentenced him to hang.

"May the Lord have mercy on your soul," the judge said.

Speight's wife, sitting behind him, wiped tears from her eyes.

Speight was found guilty of treason, which carries a mandatory death sentence. However, prosecutors and defence lawyers both requested the sentence be immediately commuted to life in prison. Speight's Australian lawyer, Ron Cannon, said he expected President Ratu Josefa Iloilo to sign an order reducing the sentence by the end of the day.

Cannon said Speight wanted to plead guilty in order to help close the country's ethnic wounds.

"This would then put the matter to rest and we hope will be accepted by the community as our contribution to the stability of the country and to reconciliation," Cannon said.

Twelve other people face charges - including treason - along with Speight. However, after Speight's sentencing defence lawyers said the others would also likely have their charges reduced. It was not immediately clear to what.

Coming into the court earlier Monday, Speight had looked calm. He was wearing a traditional Fijian skirt, known as a sulu.

He was "in very high spirits and looking forward to the start of the case," said his wife, Torika.

With the armed takeover in 2000 came riots, arson, looting and the overthrew of Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry. Chaudhry was the first prime minister from Fiji's Indian community, which makes up about 44 per cent of the population and wields considerable economic and political power.

Speight and his supporters were later caught and charged with 13 "overt acts."

The indictment accused them of forming an illegal "Taukei (indigenous Fijian) Civilian Government" and unlawfully trying to overturn the country's constitution.

They were also accused of killing a policeman before their armed rebellion ended, in late July 2000.

An election last year brought a new government led by Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, a Fijian who supports parts of Speight's declared nationalist agenda.

The country is slowly recovering from the effects of the coup. In particular, the country's vital tourism industry is beginning to recover.

Speight openly admits leading the uprising but said he was granted immunity during the coup by the Great Council of Chiefs, the country's traditional rulers. The council's political role is largely symbolic but its members still command great respect and influence among Fijians.