Pretoria – Lawyers for Oscar Pistorius have filed an appeal in court against bail restrictions imposed on the Olympian, who is charged with murdering his girlfriend, according to papers released by the Pistorius family on Monday.

“The conditions appealed against are unwarranted and not substantiated by the facts,” said the appeal, which was filed on Friday.

The appeal reflected the robust defense strategy of lawyers for Pistorius, who has been staying at his uncle Arnold’s home in Pretoria since he was released on bail on February 22.

It is a delicate balance because the Pistorius family has also sought to keep a low profile, expressing sorrow for the death of Reeva Steenkamp on February 14. Pistorius says he mistakenly shot Steenkamp, thinking she was an intruder in his home. Prosecutors believe he killed her intentionally after an argument.

The appeal was prepared by Ramsay Webber, a legal firm based in Johannesburg.

In the papers, lawyers for the double-amputee athlete 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.

For more details go to www.iol.co.za