Oscar Pistorius has been released from prison in South Africa after serving nine years for murdering his girlfriend.

(CNN) — Oscar Pistorius has been released on parole and returned home after nearly nine years in prison for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, ​​Singabaho Nxumalo, a spokesman for the South African Correctional Service, told CNN.

The South African athlete shot Steenkamp four times through the bathroom door of her home on Valentine’s Day 2013. Pistorius denied killing her in a fit of rage, instead saying he mistook her for an intruder. He was initially sentenced to 13 years and five months in prison.

Pistorius was released from Atteridgeville Correctional Centre, west of Pretoria, on Friday morning and will be subject to parole until his sentence expires in 2029.

The South African Correctional Service said in a statement on Wednesday that “general parole conditions” would apply, including that Pistorius must be at home at certain times of the day. You may not use alcohol or illegal substances and must participate in programs determined by the Corrections and Parole Board.

“Like other parolees, Pistorius will not be able to give interviews to the media,” the statement said.

In November, Reeva Steenkamp’s mother, June Steenkamp, ​​said she was worried about the safety of the other women after he was paroled.

“At this time, I am not confident that Oscar has been rehabilitated,” she said in a statement.

“Rehabilitation requires a person to honestly admit the whole truth about his crime and its consequences. No one can claim to be repentant unless he is able to devote himself entirely to the truth. If someone does not show remorse, they cannot be considered rehabilitated. If he is not rehabilitated, there is a high risk of relapse,” he said.

In a statement released Friday, Steenkamp’s mother said her only wish following Pistorius’ release is that he be allowed to live out his remaining years “in peace.”

“There will never be justice if your loved one never comes back, and no amount of time spent in prison will bring Reeva back,” June Steenkamp said. “We who are left behind are serving life sentences.”

The athlete, known as “Blade Runner” for his carbon fiber prosthetic legs and once hailed as an inspirational figure after competing in the 2012 Olympics, has become the focus of an investigation followed around the world.

During the trial, Pistorius pleaded not guilty to one count of murder and one count of possession of a firearm in connection with Steenkamp’s murder.

Prosecutors argued that his killing was premeditated and that the shooting occurred after the couple had an argument.

He suffered frequent setbacks in court and his past behavior came under scrutiny.

Pistorius was found guilty of manslaughter in 2014 and sentenced to five years in prison. But a higher court overturned the verdict and a year later changed it to murder, increasing the sentence to six years in prison.

The decision was appealed by prosecutors, who said the sentence was too lenient. In 2017, South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal increased Pistorius’ sentence to 13 years and five months.