PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) — Olympic sprinter Oscar PistoriusThe double amputee, who became a global star competing at the sport's highest levels while running with carbon fiber blades, is serving a nearly nine-year sentence for the murder of his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp. He was released from prison on Friday after serving his sentence.
Pistorius, 37, was released from Pretoria's Atteridgeville Correctional Center early Friday morning and processed at the parole office before being released to his family, Ministry of Corrections spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo told The Associated Press. Nxumalo described Pistorius' release as a “strategy” to avoid a media battle, but gave no further details.
Pistorius was sentenced to 13 years and 5 months in prison for murder for shooting Steenkamp on Valentine's Day 2013, of which he served nearly nine years. He was eligible for early release after completing at least half of his sentence, but was subsequently released. He was granted parole in November..
On June 14, 2016, Oscar Pistorius, who is being sought for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, leaves the High Court in Pretoria, South Africa. Oscar Pistorius was sentenced to death on January 5, 2024, after serving a nearly nine-year murder sentence for shooting and killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day in 2013, to live at home under strict conditions. He is scheduled to be released on parole on Friday. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe, File)
Pistorius had originally planned to live at his uncle's house in Waterkloof, an upscale suburb of Pretoria, upon his release.he lived there during his tenure 7 month trial In 2014.
There was a police van outside the house and officers were seen coming out late Friday. The police officer declined to comment to reporters. Three black private security vehicles were also parked in front of the residence.
Pistorius and his older brother and sister grew up under the care of their uncle and aunt Arnold and Lois Pistorius after being estranged from their father. Pistorius' mother died when he was a teenager. Arnold Pistorius was seen leaving the house in a car, as was Pistorius' sister Amy.
Prior to Pistorius' release, the Department of Corrections will not make public his parole period, and he spoke to the media who have been following him since he shot Steenkamp multiple times through the bathroom door of his Pretoria villa. He announced that he had no intention of “parading” the event. than ten years ago.
A Friday, January 5, 2024 photo of Atteridgeville Prison in Pretoria, South Africa. South African athlete Oscar Pistorius was scheduled to be released on parole on Friday, more than a decade after he shot and killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day. It shattered the reputation of a sports superstar. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Pistorius will live under strict parole conditions. Until the remainder of his murder sentence expires in December 2029.
Steenkamp's mother, June Steenkamp, said in a statement that although the pain of her daughter's death “remained raw and real,” she accepted Pistorius' parole. Mr. Steenkamp's father, Barry Steenkamp, died last year.
“Was there justice for Reeva? Has Oscar served enough time in prison? There can be no justice if the person you love will never come back, and no amount of time in prison can bring Reeva back. '' said June Steenkamp. “The rest of us are serving life sentences.”
“Now that Oscar Pistorius has been released on parole, my only hope is that he can live out his final years in peace, focusing on the Reeva Rebecca Steenkamp Foundation to continue Reeva's legacy.”
The Department of Corrections stressed that the Paralympic champion sprinter's release from prison, like other offenders on parole, does not mean he has served his sentence.
Pistorius' parole conditions include restricting his ability to leave his home, not drinking alcohol, and requiring him to participate in anger management and violence against women programs. They must also perform community service.
Mr Pistorius will also be required to meet regularly with parole authorities and may be subject to unannounced visits by authorities. He is not allowed to leave the Waterkloof area without permission and is prohibited from speaking to the media until the end of his sentence. If he violates the terms of his parole, he could be sent back to prison.
Corrections officials said Pistorius would not be wearing any monitoring devices because South Africa does not use tags or bracelets for paroled offenders. However, he is always under the surveillance of the authorities and must inform them of any major changes in his life, such as wanting to get a job or moving to another house.
Once wealthy with sports cars, motorcycles and big endorsement deals from brands like Nike, he was left “penniless” after a lengthy murder trial, his lead defense attorney said in 2014. Pistorius sold the house where he murdered Steenkamp to pay some of his legal costs. invoice.
Pistorius claims he accidentally shot Steenkamp, 29. He testified that he believed Steenkamp was a dangerous intruder and fired four shots through the door with his licensed 9mm pistol in self-defense.
Prosecutors said the man intentionally killed his girlfriend during a late-night argument.
Steenkamp's family did not oppose his parole application in November, but June Steenkamp said at the time that she did not believe Pistorius was fully rehabilitated and was still lying about the shooting. .
A mourner carries a program at Reeva Steenkamp's funeral in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, on February 19, 2013. Oscar Pistorius will be released on parole on Friday, January 5, 2024, and will spend nearly nine years for shooting and killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day 2013, where he is expected to live under harsh conditions. At his parents' home after serving a sentence for murder. (AP Photo/Schalk Van Zuydam, File)
Pistorius, whose legs were amputated below the knee as a baby due to a congenital disease, was considered an inspirational role model before his murder. He made history by becoming a sprint champion with carbon fiber running blades and competing in the 2012 London Olympics.
His murder trial shattered his image. He is prone to angry outbursts and is accused of carrying a gun and acting recklessly, but witnesses said he was involved in other incidents, including an altercation in which he allegedly threatened to break a man's leg. He testified about arguing with people.
Pistorius was first. convicted of manslaughter He was sentenced to five years in prison for Steenkamp's murder, a charge comparable to manslaughter. After an appeal by prosecutors, he was ultimately found guilty of murder and his sentence was increased, but the sentence was handed down by the Supreme Court of Appeals. not yet decisively governing He knew it was Steenkamp behind the bathroom door.
Pistorius was first sent to prison in 2014 and released on house arrest in 2015 pending an appeal, but was returned to prison in 2016. He was initially held at the high-security Kgosi Mampulu 2 prison in Pretoria, but was transferred to Atteridge Building in early 2016. His sentence was based on the fact that he was suitable for housing prisoners with disabilities.
In South Africa, the reaction to Mr Pistorius' parole was muted, in contrast to the first days and months after Mr Steenkamp's murder. Mr Steenkamp's murder sparked angry protests outside Mr Pistorius' court hearing, demanding a long prison sentence for him. South Africa does not have the death penalty.
“He ticked all the boxes,” said Themba Masango, executive director of Not in My Name International, a group that campaigns against violence against women. “And we can only hope and hope that Oscar Pistorius comes out a better person.”
“We tend to forget that it is possible for someone to be rehabilitated.”
