Rape trial begins in Oslo for son of Norway’s crown princess

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The trial of the son of Norway's crown princess, on fees that embody rape, began on Tuesday, opening weeks of proceedings in a case that has solid a shadow on the royal household's picture.

Marius Borg Høiby, 29, is the eldest son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit from a earlier relationship and the stepson of the inheritor to the throne, Crown Prince Haakon. Høiby has no royal title or official duties.

He has been underneath scrutiny since he was repeatedly arrested in 2024 on numerous allegations of wrongdoing.

Høiby took his seat on the Oslo district court docket Tuesday morning for the trial, which is scheduled to final till March 19.

He faces 38 counts. They embody rape, abuse in a detailed relationship in opposition to one former associate, acts of violence in opposition to one other and transporting 3.5 kilograms of marijuana. Different fees embody making loss of life threats and visitors violations.

WATCH | Particulars emerge about Epsteins's alleged royal connections: Epstein information embody blunt correspondence with Sarah Ferguson

The most recent batch of Epstein information embody a number of emails with Sarah Ferguson, the previous duchess of York. The paperwork don't embody proof of something unlawful, however confirmed her in depth relationship with the convicted intercourse offender. Prosecutors have stated that Høiby might withstand 10 years in jail, if convicted. Seven alleged victims are anticipated to testify.

Reflecting worldwide curiosity within the trial, the decide addressed the court docket in English, warning that it was prohibited to file or take pictures within the courtroom and advising that a number of the testimony of witnesses could be heard behind closed doorways.

Høiby's defence group has stated that he "denies all fees of sexual abuse, in addition to nearly all of the costs concerning violence."

He was free pending trial till Sunday, when police stated he was arrested over new allegations of assault, threats with a knife and violation of a restraining order.

The Oslo court docket on Monday granted their request to maintain him in detention for as much as 4 weeks on the grounds of a threat of reoffending. Defence lawyer Petar Sekulic stated the arrest adopted an alleged "incident" involving one other individual on Sunday.

Shadow on royals' picture He declined to present particulars, however stated Høiby contests his detention and his authorized group was contemplating an attraction as quickly as he and the opposite individual can present statements to police.

The indictment facilities on 4 alleged rapes between 2018 and November 2024; alleged violence and threats in opposition to a former associate between the summer season of 2022 and the autumn of 2023; and two alleged acts of violence in opposition to a subsequent associate, together with violations of a restraining order.

Høiby's defence group has stated that he "denies all fees of sexual abuse, in addition to nearly all of the costs concerning violence."

Haakon stated final week that he and Mette-Marit do not plan to attend the trial and that the royal home does not intend to remark through the proceedings.

King Harald, 88, and the royals are usually well-liked in Norway, however the Høiby case has been an issue for the household's picture.

And Høiby's trial is opening simply as Mette-Marit faces renewed scrutiny over her previous contacts with Jeffrey Epstein following the discharge on Friday of a brand new batch of paperwork from the Epstein information. They contained a number of hundred mentions of the crown princess, who already stated in 2019 that she regretted having had contact with Epstein, Norwegian media reported.