Oscar Pistorius' Release from Prison Put on Hold

Oscar Pistorius, who was convicted of culpable homicide after killing his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, has had his release from prison put on hold, according to Rob Harris of the Associated Press.

Pistorius' family have confirmed his parole review is now set for Sept. 18, ensuring he will remain in jail for at least another three weeks, relayed by Mark Tran of the Guardian.

Barry Bateman of Eyewitness News in South Africa passed along the original statement from Justice Minister Michael Masutha on the decision to hold off on releasing Pistorius:

The track star was scheduled to be released on parole August 21 after serving 10 months of a five-year sentence, according to Adam Withnall of the Independent.

“He’s behaving himself very well,” Zach Modise, the South African correctional services’ national commissioner, said in June, while noting that Pistorius wouldn’t serve his full sentence.

It’s still possible that Pistorius could be convicted of murder, as prosecutors are attempting to appeal the case to the South African Supreme Court. According to NBC Bay Area, Pistorius claimed he shot Steenkamp because he thought she was an intruder, but if prosecutors win the appeal and he is convicted of murder, he would be facing at minimum 15 years in prison.

Pistorius became an iconic figure during the 2012 Olympics, competing as an amputee in the 400-meter and 4x400-meter races. After he killed Steenkamp in 2013, however, his trial gripped the nation of South Africa and the rest of the world.