Conditions set for Pistorius's release on parole

JOHANNESBURG, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- Certain conditions have been set for South African Paralympian Oscar Pistorius's release from prison, authorities said on Tuesday.

Pistorius is barred from possessing a firearm and will be required to continue with his psychotherapy, the Department of Correctional Services said.

"The Parole Board has given the offender his correctional supervision conditions which include the directives of the Parole Review Board in respect of continued psychotherapy and prohibitions in line with the Fire Arms Control Act Section 103,"the department said.

Pistorius was released on parole Monday night, beginning his correctional supervision under house arrest, said the department.

The paralympian was due to be released on Tuesday, but prison authorities decided to allow him to leave late Monday night to avoid a media gauntlet.

The Department of Correctional Services said the decision to release Pistorius a day earlier than planned does not constitute "preferential treatment".

Having served one-year imprisonment, Pistorius will spend the remainder of his five-year sentence under house arrest with some restrictions. Bue despite this, it's believed that he will be able to work, socialise and even attend events.

His family members are not happy with the conditions which they said are too strict, meaning he is still in jail.

On Tuesday morning, family spokesperson Anneliese Burgess said the family "is happy that Oscar is home but they want to make it clear that his sentence continues."

Pistorius is not a free man, Burgess stressed. She said Pistorius is currently at his uncle Arnold's Waterkloof home in Pretoria.

Pistorius was sentenced to five years for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on the Valentine's Day in 2013.

Pistorius is expected to appear in the Supreme Court of Appeal on November 3, 2015.

The state wants the Supreme Court to convict Pistorius of murder instead of capable homicide.

If Pistorius is found guilty of murder in the first degree, his sentence can actually be increased to life, which equates to 25 years in jail in this country, according to legal expert Advocate Gabriel Shumba.