- Oscar Pistorius’s family says he’s been threatened with rape in prison
An unknown person has warned Pistorius will be beaten up and gang raped unless his family pays for evidence that would undermine the prosecution case against him, family spokeswoman Anneliese Burgess said.
The Paralympian, 29, is facing more than 15 years in prison for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013.
He was initially convicted of culpable homicide, but it has since been converted to murder.
Now his family has been threatened with extortion over the double amputee’s impending sentence.
The demands were sent to Pistorius’ cousin Arnoldus via text message on June 16, the day after the athlete’s pre-sentencing hearing ended.
The anonymous person requested money in exchange for evidence that the prosecutor had paid a witness who testified against Pistorius.
When the cousin did not respond, the person began making threats directed towards Pistorius’ treatment by fellow inmates.
Police are investigating the threats but have not made any arrests.
The former champion was sentenced to five years in jail in 2014 for shooting dead Miss Steenkamp, who he said he mistook for an intruder.
Pistorius’ conviction has since been upgraded to murder and he will be sentenced on July 6.
