#OscarPistorius
IBNS: Paralympian Oscar Pistorius has been released on parole from a South African prison more than a decade since he murdered his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
Officials confirmed Pistorius was “at home” on Friday morning, having served half of his more than 13-year sentence, reported BBC.
The athlete had shot his girlfriend multiple times in 2013.
The double amputee later claimed he had mistaken her for a burglar, reported BBC.
He was convicted of murder after an appeal court overturned an earlier verdict of culpable homicide in 2015.
Under South African law, all offenders are entitled to be considered for parole, meaning early release under certain conditions, once they have served half their total sentence, which for Pistorius was finally set at 13 years and five months, reports BBC.
Until his sentence expires in 2029, he will live under strict rules – confining him to the home for certain hours of the day, as well as banning him from drinking alcohol, the British media reported.
He is also not allowed to speak to the media.
The athlete will also need to have therapy to help deal with issues around gender-based violence and anger.
While in prison, Pistorius drove a tractor in the grounds, worked in the library and cleaned inmates’ cells, according to legal documents cited by South African journalist Karyn Maughan as quoted by BBC.
Social workers and psychologists also wrote positive reports about him, she told the BBC’s Newsday programme.
June Steenkamp, the victim’s mother, said she desires that she would be allowed to live the rest of her life ‘in peace’.
“There can never be justice if your loved one is never coming back, and no amount of time served will bring Reeva back,” June Steenkamp said in a statement as quoted by CNN. “We, who remain behind, are the ones serving a life sentence.”
