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Oscar Pistorius has been refused parole and will remain imprisoned for at least another year and four months. After his conviction for the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, ten years ago, a parole board determined he had not completed the "minimum incarceration period" necessary for release.
Pistorius, a multiple Paralympic winner who made history by competing against non-disabled competitors in the 2012 Olympics, was found guilty of murder in the Valentine's Day 2013 shooting of Reeva Steenkamp at his house.
Steenkamp’s family had opposed his bid and gave verbal and written statements at the hearing.
The family’s lawyer, Tania Koen, said on behalf of her parents that the decision brought a tremendous sense of relief, adding:
While we welcome today’s decision, today is not a cause for celebration.
We miss Reeva terribly and will do so for the rest of our lives. We believe in justice and hope that it continues to prevail.
According to South Africa's Department of Prisons, Pistorius, 36, will be allowed to apply for parole again in August of next year.
The prison spokesperson, Singabakho Nxumalo, said:
Come August 2024, and he would have reached the minimum detention period, then the [parole] board will make a decision.
He will have to appear again next year. And then, we look into the profile and make a decision in terms of his placement. But for now, it was a matter of saying he has not served the minimum detention period.
Pistorius shot Steenkamp multiple times with ammo meant to do maximum bodily harm.
He was sentenced to six years in prison in 2016, but his sentence was raised to 13 years after prosecutors claimed the first sentence was too mild.
