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Pistorius has served nearly nine years of his 13 years and five months murder sentence for killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day 2013.
ADVERTISEMENTSouth African athlete Oscar Pistorius has been released from prison on parole, South Africa’s Department of Corrections said Friday.
He is now at home.
The department gave no more details of Pistorius’ release, which was announced around 8:30 a.m. local time.
The world-famous double-amputee Olympic runner was released from the Atteridgeville Correctional Center in the South African capital, Pretoria.
Pistorius has served nearly nine years of his 13 years and five months murder sentence for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day 2013.
He was approved for parole in November.
Serious offenders in South Africa are eligible for parole after serving at least half their sentence.
The 37-year-old is expected to initially live at his uncle’s mansion in the upscale Pretoria suburb of Waterkloof, where he lived during his murder trial and was also held on house arrest between 2015 and 2016.
Television crews, photographers and news reporters gathered outside the correctional centre where Pistorius was being held before 6 a.m. local time, hoping to catch a glimpse of the disgraced sports star.
Officials at South Africa’s Department of Corrections previously said they would not announce the time of his release, indicating they wanted to keep him away from the media storm.
Pistorius has attracted much media attention since he shot girlfriend Steenkamp multiple times through a toilet door at his home in the predawn hours of 14 February 2013.
“Has there been justice for Reeva? Has Oscar served enough time? There can never be justice if your loved one is never coming back, and no amount of time served will bring Reeva back,” said Steenkamp’s mother June in a statement after the announcement Pistorius would be put on parole.
“We who remain behind are the ones serving a life sentence.”
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