Special parole conditions imposed on the killer of populist politician Pim Fortuyn following his early release from jail have been torn up by judges in The Hague.

Volkert van der Graaf was released from jail in May after serving two-thirds of his 12 year sentence for shooting Fortuyn outside a radio station.

A number of conditions were attached to his release. Van der Graaf must report weekly to his probation officers and is not allowed to visit Rotterdam, Haarlem or Hilversum.

He was also subjected to electronic tagging via an ankle monitor and was banned from speaking to either Fortuyn’s relatives or the press.

Judges said on Wednesday that the electronic tagging and banning orders were too tough and imposed considerable restrictions on Van der Graaf’s freedom of movement. Nor were they consistent with their aim – that of protecting society – the court said.

Van der Graaf went to court in an effort to have the conditions removed, saying they were ‘completely unreasonable’ and made it impossible for him to rebuild his life and visit his family.

The public prosecution department said later it intended to appeal against the ruling.