Oscar Pistorius, the South African Paralympic champion who shot and killed his girlfriend, has been denied parole after seeking early release from prison, according to his lawyers. Pistorius had hoped to be released a decade after the 2013 murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, but the Department of Correctional Services said he had not completed the minimum detention period required for parole. The victim’s family lawyer, Tania Koen, confirmed that the parole application had been denied and would be considered again in one year.
Pistorius, who is known worldwide as “Blade Runner” for his carbon-fiber prosthetics, was initially jailed for six years in 2016. The sentence was increased to 13 years after prosecutors appealed, arguing that the initial sentence was too lenient. The athlete had pleaded not guilty and denied killing Steenkamp in a rage, saying he mistook her for a burglar.
Prisoners in South Africa are automatically eligible for parole consideration after serving half of their sentence. Pistorius has served more than half, having started his term in 2014. Friday’s parole hearing was held at a correctional facility on the outskirts of the capital where the 36-year-old is being held.
Source: Aljazeera