By ,
Published January 13, 2015
South African Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius will be allowed to travel for competition after a judge on Thursday rescinded some of the bail restrictions originally imposed after the runner was charged with murder last month.
Pistorius has been charged with premeditated murder after the Valentine's Day shooting death of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. The defense has contended that Pistorius believed he was shooting an intruder in his bathroom and mistakenly killed Steenkamp.
After being released on 1 million rand (nearly $113,000 U.S.), including a cash payment of 100,000 rand, Pistorius was forced to surrender his passports and other travel papers in a bail ruling by South African Chief Magistrate Desmond Nair.
According to News 24 in South Africa, judge Bert Bam on Thursday said the travel restriction was unwarranted.
However, Pistorius will have to provide an itinerary for his travels a week in advance and must surrender his passport within 24 hours of returning.
Pistorius was not in court for Thursday's hearing, but his attorneys argued that Pistorius would eventually need to compete to earn a living, although he has no current plans to run.
Prosecutors had first asked to have the double-amputee runner remain in custody without bail for fear of flight risk and a danger to the community, and argued against lifting the original restrictions Thursday.
Pistorius can also now return to his home, the scene of the shooting, after Bam also rescinded that restriction.
The next court date for Pistorius is June 4.
Pistorius, known as the "Blade Runner," made history at the London Olympics last year when he became the first double-amputee runner to compete in the Games.
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/pistorius-allowed-to-travel-for-competition