Paralympian Oscar Pistorius released on Parole after serving nine Years for murder of Reeva Steenkamp

Published at :January 6, 2024 at 2:39 AM

Modified at :January 13, 2024 at 11:58 PM

(Courtesy : Agence France-Presse)

Blade Runner mistook girlfriend for Intruder in fatal shooting.

South African Paralympic star Oscar Pistorius, famously known as the ‘Blade Runner’, was released on parole on Friday, after nearly 11 years after murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. The crime, which took place on Valentine’s Day in 2013, sent shockwaves through a nation already grappling with violence against women.

Pistorius, who earned his nickname due to his carbon-fiber prosthetic legs, shot the 29-year-old model through a locked bathroom door at his Pretoria home. He has consistently maintained that he mistook Steenkamp for an intruder, a claim that formed the basis of multiple appeals against his conviction.

Pistorius, now 37, spent approximately eight and a half years in jail and seven months under home arrest before his sentencing for murder. In November, a parole board decided he could be released after completing more than half his sentence.

South Africa’s Department of Corrections confirmed Pistorius’ status as a parolee from January 5, 2024. A monitoring official will supervise him until his sentence expires in December 2029. Pistorius must inform the official if he seeks employment or changes his address.

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A celebrated athlete, Pistorius competed using carbon-fiber prosthetic legs, winning multiple gold medals at the Paralympics before competing at the London 2012 Olympics. His release marks a significant moment in a case that has held the world’s attention for over a decade.

Despite his case’s controversy, Pistorius’ athletic achievements remain a significant part of South African sports history. However, his legacy is now overshadowed by his conviction and the tragic death of Reeva Steenkamp, serving as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle against violence towards women.

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