2023-03-31T13:39:31Z
Oscar Pistorius, the former South Africa Paralympic champion jailed in 2016 for murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, will ask a parole board on Friday (March 31) to release him early from prison, lawyers and prison officials said. Arriving at court for the hearing, Steenkamp’s mother, June Steenkamp and the family’s lawyer Tania Koen spoke to Reuters.
Former South Africa Paralympic star Oscar Pistorius, jailed in 2016 for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, has been denied parole, South Africa’s prison authorities and a lawyer for the victim’s family said on Friday.
Pistorius became eligible for parole after serving half of his sentence. Steenkamp’s family opposed his bid, their lawyer Tania Koen told Reuters.
“I can confirm that parole has been denied, they will reconvene in a year to reconsider him again and we don’t know the reasons yet (for the denial). I’ve just received a call from the parole board …It is a huge sense of relief for June,” Koen said.
The Department of Correctional Services said in a statement the “reason provided is that the inmate did not complete the minimum Detention Period”.
Once the darling of the Paralympic movement for pushing for greater recognition and acceptance of disabled athletes, Pistorius shot dead Steenkamp, a model and law student, in his bathroom on Valentine’s Day in 2013.
The athlete, known as “Blade Runner” for his carbon-fibre prosthetic legs, went from public hero to convicted murderer in a trial that drew worldwide interest.
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Olympic and Paralympic track star Oscar Pistorius leaves court after appearing for the 2013 killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, South Africa, June 14, 2016. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/Files
June Steenkamp, mother of Reeva Steenkamp who was murdered by former athlete Oscar Pistorius in 2013, arrives at Atteridgeville Correctional Centre to attend his parole hearing in Pretoria, South Africa March 31, 2023. REUTERS/Alet Pretorius
View of the Atteridgeville Correctional Centre entrance where former athlete Oscar Pistorius, convicted for killing his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp in 2013 is applying for parole in Pretoria, South Africa March 31, 2023. REUTERS/Alet Pretorius
Olympic and Paralympic track star Oscar Pistorius reacts as Judge Thokozile Masipa (unseen) delivers her verdict at the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria September 12, 2014. REUTERS/Alon Skuy/Pool
A newspaper vendor sets up his stall outside court ahead of South African “Blade Runner” Oscar Pistorius’ court appearance in Pretoria February 15, 2013. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo
Barry Steenkamp, father of Reeva Steenkamp, is consoled by his wife June Steenkamp during the sentencing hearing of Olympic and Paralympic track star Oscar Pistorius at the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria October 15, 2014. REUTERS/Antoine de Ras/Pool
The door through which Reeva Steenkamp was shot is displayed during Oscar Pistorius’s murder trial in Pretoria April 14, 2014. REUTERS/Antoine de Ras/Pool
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