MOSCOW, February 22 - RAPSI. South African Magistrate Desmond Nair decided Friday to release Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius as he waits to stand trial for the grisly Valentines Day murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, the BBC reported.

In assessing whether Pistorius was a flight risk, the court considered such issues as immovable property owned by Pistorius within the country, and connections abroad.

Steenkamp succumbed to her gunshot wounds after a fatal shooting in Pistorius’ house.

As reported by R-Sport, Pistorius faces the possibility of life in prison if convicted of murder.

Local media reports have claimed that Pistorius may have believed Steenkamp was an intruder, and that the shots may have been fired in self-defense.

According to The Telegraph, however, murder charges can be invoked under South African law if one kills without being in immediate danger, even in a self-defense scenario.

According to R-Sport, Pistorius – a double amputee – has won six Paralympic gold metals, and competed in the 2012 London Olympics. He has come to be popularly known as the “blade runner” due to the distinctive shape of his prosthetic legs.