PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) — Olympian Oscar Pistorius was released from prison on parole early Friday morning and was believed to be staying at his uncle’s mansion after authorities arrested the world-famous double amputee athlete for killing his girlfriend at an unknown date , brought there secretly to avoid the glare of news crews waiting outside the prison.

South Africa’s Department of Corrections announced in a two-sentence statement around 8:30 a.m. that Pistorius had been released and was “now at home.” No further details were given other than confirming Pistorius’ new status as a “parole officer”.

Pistorius, 37, served nearly nine years of his 13-year, five-month murder sentence for the fatal shooting of model and law student Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day 2013. After serving at least half of his sentence, he was eligible for an early release from prison Jail was granted parole in November.

Corrections Department spokesman Singabakho Nxumalo told The Associated Press that Pistorius was treated according to procedure: He was taken from the Atteridgeville Correctional Center prison in the South African capital Pretoria to a probation office before being released to his family. Nxumalo would not say when Pistorius was released or where he was.

“All I can tell you is that he was released this morning,” Nxumalo said.

After his release, Pistorius was initially expected to live in his uncle’s house in an upscale suburb of Pretoria. A police car was parked outside the house and later on Friday a police officer was seen coming out. The official declined to comment to reporters. There were also three black private security vehicles parked in front of the villa.

The Department of Corrections said before Pistorius’ release that it would not publicize his probation or “parade” him to keep him away from the media, which has been hounding him since he shot Steenkamp several times through a toilet door at his Pretoria villa more than a decade ago.

Pistorius will live on probation under strict conditions until the remainder of his murder sentence expires in December 2029.

Steenkamp’s mother, June Steenkamp, ​​said in a statement that she accepted Pistorius’ parole as part of South African law.

“Is there justice for Reeva? Has Oscar served enough time? There can never be justice if your loved one never comes back and Reeva doesn’t come back even after serving time,” June Steenkamp said. “We who stay behind are the ones serving a life sentence.”

“With the release of Oscar Pistorius on parole, my only wish is that I can spend my final years in peace and continue to focus on the Reeva Rebecca Steenkamp Foundation to continue Reeva’s legacy.”

The prison service has stressed that the Paralympic sprint champion’s release – like any other offender on probation – does not mean he has served his sentence.

Pistorius’s probation conditions include restrictions on when he can leave his home, a ban on alcohol consumption and an order that he participate in anger management and violence against women programs. He also has to do community service.

Pistorius will also have to meet regularly with probation officers and will be subject to unannounced visits from authorities. He is not allowed to leave the Waterkloof district without permission and is not allowed to speak to the media until the end of his sentence. He could be sent back to prison if he violates any of his probation terms.

South Africa does not use tags or bracelets on paroled offenders, so Pistorius will not wear a monitoring device, Corrections Department officials said. However, he is constantly monitored by an officer from the department and must inform the officer of any major changes in his life, such as if he wants to get a job or move to another house.

Pistorius claimed he accidentally shot 29-year-old Steenkamp. He testified that he believed Steenkamp was a dangerous intruder who was hiding in his bathroom and shot through the door four times with his licensed 9mm handgun in self-defense.

Prosecutors said he intentionally killed his girlfriend during a late-night argument.

Steenkamp’s family did not reject his request for parole in November, although June Steenkamp said in a victim impact statement submitted to the parole board at the time that she did not believe Pistorius had been fully rehabilitated and was still lying about the murder.

Before the murder, Pistorius was considered an inspirational role model after both of his legs were amputated below the knee as a baby due to a congenital condition. Wearing carbon fiber running shoes, he became a sprint champion and made history by competing in the 2012 London Olympics.

His murder trial destroyed his image. He was accused of being prone to temper tantrums and being reckless with weapons, while witnesses testified about various altercations between him and others, including an argument in which he allegedly threatened to break a man’s legs.

Pistorius was initially convicted of involuntary manslaughter – a charge comparable to manslaughter – and sentenced to five years in prison for the killing of Steenkamp. After prosecutors appealed, he was ultimately found guilty of murder and his sentence was increased, although the Supreme Court of Appeal ruling did not yet conclusively rule that he knew it was Steenkamp behind the bathroom door.

Pistorius was first sent to prison in 2014, released under house arrest in 2015 following an appeal, and sent back to prison in 2016. He was initially incarcerated at the Kgosi Mampuru II maximum security prison in Pretoria, but was transferred to Atteridgeville early in his sentence because it is more suitable for housing disabled prisoners.

Reaction to Pistorius’ parole was muted in South Africa, a stark contrast to the first days and months after the killing of Steenkamp, ​​which sparked angry protests outside Pistorius’ court hearings and calls for him to be given a long prison sentence. There is no death penalty in South Africa.

“He has fulfilled all the necessary requirements,” said Themba Masango, secretary general of Not In My Name International, a group that campaigns against violence against women. “And we can only wish and hope that Oscar Pistorius emerges as a better person.”

“We often forget that there is a way to rehabilitate someone.”

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Imray reported from Cape Town, South Africa.

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More AP coverage of Oscar Pistorius: https://apnews.com/hub/oscar-pistorius