Oscar Pistorius, the South African athlete hailed as an inspirational figure until he was accused and convicted of killing his girlfriend, was expected to be released on parole on Friday after seven years in prison.

Mr. Pistorius was granted parole in November on the basis that he had served half of a 15-year sentence for murder. In 2013, Mr. Pistorius shot his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, through a locked bathroom door before dawn, killing her.

The court case drew global headlines and intense interest: Mr. Pistorius, a double amputee, had gained international acclaim first as a Paralympic athlete, and then for competing in the Olympic Games, and Ms. Steenkamp was a model and reality star. The trial spanned seven months and was televised. Audiences watched as Mr. Pistorius sobbed in a South African courtroom and heard the testimony of almost 40 witnesses.

This week, the South African authorities emphasized that Mr. Pistorius’s “elevated public profile” would not afford him any special treatment. The Department of Correctional Services declined to disclose the time of his departure from prison. The authorities also forbade Mr. Pistorius from speaking to reporters, in line with regulations restricting media interactions.