Oscar Pistorius allowed to leave South Africa after winning appeal

 South African track star Oscar Pistorius charged with murder in the slaying of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp  will be allowed to travel abroad to compete after winning his bail restrictions.

Judge Bert Bam said Pistorius could hand over his passport to his attorney and was entitled to use it to travel outside South Africa.

However Pistorius must  report his itinerary a week before leaving.

 Pistorius was charged  with premeditated murder last month after he shot Steenkamp in his Pretoria home on February 14.

Pistorius' legal team went to Pretoria's North Gauteng High Court on Thursday to challenge the restrictions imposed on the athlete when he was freed on bail last month.

The defense  also included a ban on returning to the Pretoria home where the shooting happened, on drinking alcohol and on talking to witnesses in the case.

 

State prosecutor Gerrie Nel told the court he plans to serve Pistorius with an indictment on June 4.

Pistorius spent eight days in jail before a magistrate freed him on bail on February 22.

The Olympic and Paralympic sprinter, known as the "Blade Runner" for competing on carbon fiber blades fitted to the stumps of his amputated legs, says he thought Steenkamp was an intruder.

Prosecutors argue that he intentionally killed her after a loud argument.