Oscar Pistorius released on parole 11 years after murdering girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp
The former athlete maintained Steenkamp's death was an accident
South African athlete Oscar Pistorius has been released from prison on parole following the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
Pistorius was initially convicted in 2014 of manslaughter and sentenced to five years behind bars for the death of Steenkamp, who died in 2013 after being shot four times through a locked bathroom door in the athlete's home.
A higher court later overturned the initial conviction and upgraded it to murder, handing Pistorius six years in prison. The sentence was increased again to 13 years and five months following an appeal by prosecutors.
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After spending nine years behind bars, Pistorius was granted parole in November on the grounds that he had served half of his 13-year sentence.
Today (5 January), he left Atteridgeville Correctional Centre in Pretoria, South Africa under parole conditions which he will have to follow until his sentence expires in 2029.
Singabakho Nxumalo, a spokesperson for the Department of Correctional Services, said Pistorius 'is now at home'.
As part of his parole, Pistorius must remain in Pretoria, attend rehabilitation programs, and refrain from consuming alcohol or any banned substances.
“Just like other parolees, Pistorius is restricted from conducting media interviews,” a statement from South Africa’s Department of Correctional Services added.
Pistorius, who competed as a Paralympic athlete after having both of his legs amputated below the knee, has insisted Steenkamp's death was an accident, claiming he believed she was an intruder.
Prosectors in the case argued Pistorius had killed Steenkamp in a rage following an argument.
Steenkamp’s mother, June, issued a statement in the wake of Pistorius' release, saying that she wanted only to live her remaining years '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,” the mother said. “We, who remain behind, are the ones serving a life sentence.”
June described the pain of losing her daughter as 'still raw and real' 11 years on, adding: "My dear late husband Barry and I have never been able to come to terms with Reeva’s death, or the way she died."
June said the conditions of Pistorius' parole also include anger management courses and programs on gender-based violence.
Pistorius' release falls within South Africa’s incarceration regulations for inmates who have served half of their sentence and adhered to certain conditions, including good behaviour.
The legislation forms part of the country’s 'Restorative Justice' process which aims to give those who have been convicted chance to 'acknowledge and take responsibility for their actions'.
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Emily Brown