This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-33987669
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Oscar Pistorius early release put on hold | Oscar Pistorius early release put on hold |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| South Africa's justice ministry has suspended the release of athlete Oscar Pistorius from prison on Friday. | South Africa's justice ministry has suspended the release of athlete Oscar Pistorius from prison on Friday. |
| He said the decision to free the athlete after serving 10 months of his five-year sentence "was taken prematurely" and with "no legal basis". | He said the decision to free 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. | 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. | 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, should the parole board meet to review its decision. | It is not clear whether the decision on his early release could be reinstated before Friday, should the parole board meet to review its decision. |
| One of Pistorius' relatives, who did not want to be named, told Reuters news agency they were "shocked and disappointed" at the news. | |
| 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. |
| However, it is the timing of the decision which the justice ministry criticised: | However, it is the timing of the decision which the justice ministry criticised: |
| "One sixth of a five year sentence is 10 months and at the time the decision was made Mr Pistorius had served only over six months of his sentence," it said in a statement. | "One sixth of a five year sentence is 10 months and at the time the decision was made Mr Pistorius had served only over six months of his sentence," it said in a statement. |
| The justice ministry clarified that it only has the power to overturn decisions made by the parole review board in cases where the convict is serving a life sentence. | The justice ministry clarified that it only has the power to overturn decisions made by the parole review board in cases where the convict is serving a life sentence. |
| 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. |
| Thursday would have been Ms Steenkamp's 32nd birthday. Her parents held a small ceremony for her close friends and supporters in her hometown of Port Elizabeth, throwing roses into the sea in her memory. | |
| 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 intervention by Justice Minister Michael Masutha follows a petition from the Progressive Women's Movement of South Africa, which described the athlete's early release as "outrageous" and "an insult" to victims of abuse. | The intervention by Justice Minister Michael Masutha follows a petition from the Progressive Women's Movement of South Africa, which 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. |
| 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. |