Pistorius put on suicide watch: media

Image
AFP Johannesburg
Last Updated : Aug 14 2016 | 5:48 PM IST
Jailed murderer Oscar Pistorius has been put on suicide watch following mysterious wrist injuries that landed him in hospital earlier this month, media reported today.
Prison officials told City Press newspaper that the athlete, who is serving a six-year sentence for murdering his girlfriend, was under 24-hour monitoring, with increased cell visits by warders.
Some inside sources told the paper that razor blades were found in the disgraced athlete's cell last Saturday afternoon, and that his wrist injuries, described as "severe", were self-inflicted.
Prison authorities have launched a probe into the incident.
"Our internal investigation is at an advanced stage," said Correctional Services spokesman Singabakho Nxumalo.
The 29-year-old double-amputee, who is being held at the Kgosi Mampuru II Prison in Pretoria, had told prison officials he sustained the injuries falling off his bed.
According to the newspaper, the injury occurred soon after he had an altercation with prison officials over medication prescribed by state doctors. The Paralympian had refused to take the medication, saying it was "toxic" and demanded to be given medication prescribed by his private doctor.
He alleged that the prison official wanted to kill him and demanded to be transferred to another jail.
Warders also raided his cell and found a pair a scissors, prescription drugs and "toxic pills".
Pistorius's family has rubbished reports that the "Blade Runner" who made history by being the first disabled person to compete with able-bodied athletes in the 2012 London Olympics had tried to kill himself.
Pistorius initially escaped a murder conviction for shooting his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp through a locked bathroom door three years ago.
An appeal by prosecutors saw his manslaughter conviction upgraded to murder, and in July he was sentenced to a six-year jail term.
But prosecutors have said they would push for a longer sentence, saying six years was "shockingly lenient".

Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content

*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Aug 14 2016 | 5:48 PM IST

Next Story