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Oscar Pistorius early release put on hold | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
South Africa's justice ministry has suspended the decision to release Oscar Pistorius from prison on Friday. | |
It says the move to release the athlete after serving 10 months of his five-year sentence "was taken prematurely" and with "no legal basis". | |
The decision has now been sent back to the parole board for review. | |
Pistorius was convicted of manslaughter last year for shooting dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, whom he says he mistook for an intruder. | |
It is not clear whether the decision on his early release could be reinstated before Friday. | |
Pistorius was jailed for five years for the culpable homicide of Reeva Steenkamp, a charge equivalent to manslaughter. | Pistorius was jailed for five years for the culpable homicide of Reeva Steenkamp, a charge equivalent to manslaughter. |
Under South African law, Pistorius is eligible for release under "correctional supervision", having served a sixth of his sentence. | Under South African law, Pistorius is eligible for release under "correctional supervision", having served a sixth of his sentence. |
The justice minister's comments follow a petition from the Progressive Women's Movement of South Africa, who have described the athlete's early release as "outrageous" and "an insult" to victims of abuse. | The justice minister's comments follow a petition from the Progressive Women's Movement of South Africa, who have described the athlete's early release as "outrageous" and "an insult" to victims of abuse. |
Ms Steenkamp's parents have said that the time Pistorius has served is "not enough for taking a life". | Ms Steenkamp's parents have said that the time Pistorius has served is "not enough for taking a life". |
This week, prosecutors in South Africa filed papers calling for the athlete's conviction to be reviewed and converted to murder, which carries a minimum sentence of 15 years. His defence team now has a month to file its response. | This week, prosecutors in South Africa filed papers calling for the athlete's conviction to be reviewed and converted to murder, which carries a minimum sentence of 15 years. His defence team now has a month to file its response. |
After his release from prison, Pistorius would serve the rest of his term under house arrest. | After his release from prison, Pistorius would serve the rest of his term under house arrest. |
During sentencing, Judge Thokozile Masipa said the state had failed to prove Pistorius' intent to kill when he fired. | During sentencing, Judge Thokozile Masipa said the state had failed to prove Pistorius' intent to kill when he fired. |
Oscar Pistorius - in 60 seconds | Oscar Pistorius - in 60 seconds |
The making and unmaking of Oscar Pistorius | The making and unmaking of Oscar Pistorius |
The double amputee shot and killed Ms Steenkamp through a locked bathroom door at his Pretoria home, believing she was an intruder, he told his trial. | The double amputee shot and killed Ms Steenkamp through a locked bathroom door at his Pretoria home, believing she was an intruder, he told his trial. |
Pistorius was born without the fibulas in both of his legs, and had surgery to amputate both below the knee while still a baby. | Pistorius was born without the fibulas in both of his legs, and had surgery to amputate both below the knee while still a baby. |
He went on to become one of South Africa's best-known sports stars, and was the first amputee to compete against able-bodied athletes, at the 2012 London Olympics. | He went on to become one of South Africa's best-known sports stars, and was the first amputee to compete against able-bodied athletes, at the 2012 London Olympics. |