Oscar Pistorius granted bail after murder conviction

Pretoria: Former Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius was released on bail today after his conviction for his girlfriend's murder, as his lawyers said they would launch an appeal to South Africa's constitutional court.

"The case is postponed until April 16 2016. The applicant is released on bail of 10,000 rand ( 690)," judge Aubrey Ledwaba told Pretoria High Court.

Ledwaba said Pistorius would continue to be under house arrest, but would be able to leave the property in Pretoria with permission from the investigating officer.

Pistorius will be put under electronic monitoring, the judge added.

Judges last week found him guilty of murder and overturned his earlier conviction on the lesser charge of culpable homicide for shooting dead Reeva Steenkamp in 2013.

Pistorius, 29, was released from jail in October to be placed under house arrest in Pretoria after serving one year of his five-year prison sentence for culpable homicide -- the equivalent of manslaughter.

His lawyers had earlier said he could not afford further legal battles after paying huge bills.