South African prosecutors say they will appeal against Oscar Pistorius’s six-year sentence for murder, calling it “shockingly too lenient”.
The National Prosecuting Authority said the sentence was “disproportionate to the crime” and could bring the justice system “into disrepute”.
The Olympic athlete was jailed earlier this month for murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013.
He admits killing her but says he mistook her for an intruder.
The 29-year-old was initially given a five-year term for manslaughter, but was found guilty of murder on appeal last December.
A statement released by the National Prosecuting Authority said that an application for leave to appeal against Pistorius’s sentence was submitted on Thursday.
“We hope that this appeal will also clarify further the principles of sentencing, particularly in crime categories for which there are prescribed minimum sentences ordained by legislation,” it says.
Prosecutors point out that Pistorius’ jail term was less than half the 15 years sought by them and that he has shown inadequate remorse for the murder. BBC
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