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Oscar Pistorius (file photo). Themba Hadebe/AP/Press Association Images
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Date set for Pistorius bail appeal in South African court

The athlete is set to learn his fate in relation to the decision on March 28.

SOUTH AFRICAN OLYMPIC and Paralympic runner Oscar Pistorius, who is accused of murdering his girlfriend, will approach South Africa’s High Court next week to appeal his stringent bail conditions, prosecutors said Friday.

“The date for the hearing has been set down for March 28,” said Bulelwa Makeke, the spokeswoman for the National Prosecuting Authority.

The bail conditions imposed on February 22 include the surrender of his passport, making it impossible for Pistorius to travel outside the country, and mandatory drug and alcohol tests.

He was also banned from talking to residents of his upmarket gated community in Pretoria, where he shot his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day.

The 26-year-old, who became the first double amputee to compete against able-bodied athletes in the Olympic Games last year in London, is currently out on bail of one million rand ($107,000, 83,000 euros).

He has denied a charge that the murder was premeditated, insisting that he repeatedly shot at Steenkamp through a locked bathroom door having mistaken her for a burglar.

His arrest and bail hearing made world headlines, forcing him to withdraw from all competitions.

Several local and international sponsors have also cancelled deals with the athlete.

- © AFP, 2013

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