Pistorius Fights Bail Restrictions

Lawyers for Oscar Pistorius on Friday filed an appeal in a South African court against bail restrictions imposed on the Olympian, according to papers emailed to the AP by the Pistorius family today. His lawyers object to the following conditions as "unwarranted and not substantiated by the facts":

• They argued against the requirement that he surrender all passports and travel documents, and refrain from applying for such documents pending the end of his case. The lawyers said evidence presented at the athlete's bail hearing showed he is not a flight risk and should have the option of traveling outside South Africa as long as he has official permission.

• They believe there is "no basis in fact or in law" justifying terms under which Pistorius must be supervised by a probation officer and a correctional official. Officials are to visit Pistorius at his uncle Arnold's home in a Pretoria suburb where he is staying at least four times a month.
• They object to the requirement that Pistorius refrain from using alcohol or any banned substance, even though he has no intention of doing so. "The mere use of any substance with alcohol in it will give rise to a transgression of the wide condition imposed," the appeal said.
• They want Pistorius to be allowed access to the property at Silverwoods Country Estate where he shot Steenkamp, once the state completes its investigations there. "A blanket restriction on speaking to residents is unfair" and infringes on Pistorius' rights to consult people on the estate to prepare for his trial, the appeal said.

Meanwhile, a friend says Pistorius is suicidal. (More Oscar Pistorius stories.)