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Oscar Pistorius, the South African amputee who rose to fame at the 2012 Olympic Games before seeing it all come crashing down, has been released from prison after nine years.
Pistorius was sentenced to a 13-years and five months in murder sentence for the fatal shooting of his girlfriend, model and law graduate Reeva Steenkamp, on Valentine’s Day 2013.
He became eligible for early release, having served at least half his sentence and being approved for parole in November.
Steenkamp’s mother, June, spoke Friday about the Pistorius’ release from prison.
“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,” she said. “We who remain behind are the ones serving a life sentence.”
“With the release of Oscar Pistorius on parole, my only desire is that I will be allowed to live my last years in peace with my focus remaining on the Reeva Rebecca Steenkamp Foundation, to continue Reeva’s legacy.”
Pistorius did not offer a statement.
But his release comes with “strict conditions” according to reports.
“Some of Pistorius’s parole conditions include restrictions on when he’s allowed to leave his home, a ban on consuming alcohol, and orders that he must attend programs on anger management and on violence against women. He will have to perform community service,” the AP reports.
“Pistorius will also have to regularly meet with parole officials at his home and at correctional services offices and will be subjected to unannounced visits by authorities. He is not allowed to leave the Waterkloof district without permission and is banned from speaking to the media until the end of his sentence. He could be sent back to jail if he is in breach of any of his parole conditions.”