South African prosecutors want longer term for PistoriusJuly 21, 2016 - 15:24 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - South African prosecutors said Thursday, July 21 they would push for a longer sentence for Oscar Pistorius, describing his six-year jail term for murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp as "shockingly too lenient," AFP reports After he was sentenced earlier this month, Pistorius' lawyers said the double-amputee Olympic sprinter would not appeal against the term, which was criticised by many activists as too short. "The sentence of six years imprisonment, in all the circumstances, is disproportionate to the crime of murder committed (and) shockingly too lenient," the National Prosecuting Authority said in a strongly worded statement. The NPA added that the sentence was "an injustice and has the potential to bring the administration of justice into disrepute," saying that it would file papers to apply for leave to appeal on Thursday, AFP says. Pistorius shot Steenkamp, a model and law graduate, in the early hours of Valentine's Day in 2013, saying he mistook her for a burglar when he fired four times through the door of his bedroom toilet. At the sentencing, High Court judge Thokozile Masipa listed several mitigating factors for giving him to less than half the minimum 15-year term for murder, including the athlete's claim he believed he was shooting an intruder. "He cannot be at peace. I'm of the view that a long term of imprisonment will not serve justice," Masipa said. Pistorius, 29, previously a role model for disabled people worldwide, is being held in Kgosi Mampuru II prison in Pretoria. Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |