南非“刀锋战士”假释出狱

Big news out of South Africa where convicted Paralympian Oscar Pistorius has been released from jail to serve the remainder of his 5-year sentence under house arrest. His release comes less than one year after he was jailed for killing his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. Pistorius' family says the athlete will strictly adhere to parole conditions after being freed from prison late on Monday.

Pistorius will be spending a second night in his uncle's home. In a ploy to dodge the media - he was sent home a few hours before his release date.

"We were informed that the details of any release are decided upon by the facility concerned and that is why Oscar was released a couple of hours earlier," said Anneliese Burgess, Pistorious family spokesperson.

His release has outraged many South Africans.  Most especially the family of the victim. Pistorius must meet with the Steenkamp family, if they agree - as part of the conditions of his release. A situation that some legal analysts believe is not ideal.

"One that i find a bit cruel both to the steenkamps and to Oscar himself is the one that he needs to engage the steenkamp's family. Its still raw for them, they just lost their daughter. Its very painful. Oscar on the other hand is exhausting all his legal remedies. He is arguing that it wasnt intentional. They shouldn't have incorporated that condition," said Brenda Wardle, Legal Analyst.

"The parole review board said he must continue with the psychotherapy which is intended to continue treating criminogenic factors, that means the personal factors that may have caused crime that was committed. Number 2 is the implementation of section 3 of the firearms act in south africa which prohibits, possession, utilisation or abuse of a firearm of whatever nature," said Manelisi Wolela, Correctional Services spokesperson.

The family has put a protective veil around the athlete but want him to adhere to his parole conditions.

"It's very important for the family to emphasise that Oscars sentence has not been shortened or reduced. He's simply entering the next phase of his sentence and will serve this under strict conditions that govern correctional supervision. The family will support Oscar as he serves down the remainder of the five year sentence handed down by the trial judge," Burgess said.

But its not over yet for the athlete.
 
This is not the end of the road for Oscar pistorius. He was convicted of culpable homicide which is similar to manslaughter but prosecutors want him to be tried for murder which carries a heavier sentence. That case will be heard in two weeks time.