Oscar Pistorius to challenge bail conditions as he wants to be free to travel

Lawyers for Oscar Pistorius, who is charged with murdering girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, are due to challenge his bail conditions at a court hearing.

They will argue that the South African Olympic and Paralympics star should be allowed to return to his home, and to travel.

Oscar Pistorius, 26, also wants an end to supervision by a probation officer and compulsory drug and alcohol testing.

The athlete denies murdering Reeva Steenkamp at his home in Pretoria last month.

Oscar Pistorius says he shot Reeva Steenkamp when he mistook her for an intruder.

Prosecutors said the state would oppose the application, which is being heard at the High Court in Pretoria.

Oscar Pistorius’ lawyer, Kenny Oldwage, said his client did not need to be in court for this hearing.

The athlete’s legal team will appeal against some of the bail conditions imposed by Magistrate Desmond Nair on February 22 that include restrictions on him travelling abroad.

Oscar Pistorius was ordered to hand over his two South African passports, avoid his home in Pretoria and all witnesses in the case, report to a police station twice a week and to abstain from drinking alcohol.

In the papers before the court on Thursday Oscar Pistorius’ lawyers argue that he should be allowed to travel if he is granted permission by the case investigation officer.

In an unrelated case, the athlete’s brother, Carl Pistorius, appeared in court on Wednesday charged with the culpable homicide of a female motorcyclist in a 2008 road crash. Carl Pistorius pleaded not guilty and is due to appear in court again next week.