(Photo: The Associated Press)
Prosecutors in South Africa said Monday they will appeal the verdict and sentence handed down to Paralympian Oscar Pistorius.
"The appeal on conviction is based on the question of law," National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Nathi Mncube said in a statement released to South Africa's timeslive.com news website and other outlets. "The merits and the demerits of the NPA's argument in this regard will become evident when we file papers for leave to appeal."
Last week, Pistorius was sentenced to five years in prison in the fatal shooting of his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp.
Judge Thokozile Masipa convicted Pistorius of culpable homicide — manslaughter — but acquitted him of murder. She said a long prison sentence would show a lack of mercy toward Pistorius, who said he was afraid he was being robbed when he shot Steenkamp, 29, through his bathroom door on Valentine's Day 2013. A three-year-sentence for an unrelated firearm charge was suspended.
The double-amputee Olympic sprinter Pistorius, known as "Blade Runner" for running on prosthetic legs, could be released from prison to house arrest after 10 months, defense lawyer Barry Roux said.
The International Paralympic Committee said Pistorius, 27, won't be eligible for the Rio 2016 Paralympics or other competitions during his sentence, even if he is not serving the time in prison.
PHOTOS: Trial of Oscar Pistorius
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