An Oslo court has decided not to extend Marius Borg Høiby’s pretrial detention, according to consistent reports from Norwegian media. The 29-year-old, the eldest son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has recently been serving his detention at home with an electronic ankle monitor at the Skaugum estate, where his mother and stepfather, King Haakon VIII, live.
Norwegian broadcaster NRK reported that prosecutors immediately appealed the decision and asked for the appeal to have suspensive effect. It was therefore initially unclear when, or whether, Høiby would actually be released from pretrial detention.
Høiby has been held since February, with his detention previously extended in four-week periods. He was sentenced to four years in prison in June after a trial covering 40 charges. The most serious allegations concerned four rape cases under Norwegian law. Prosecutors alleged that he abused and filmed four women while they were sleeping. He was acquitted of two of those allegations and denied the acts.
Høiby plans to appeal the verdict, and an appeal trial could begin next year. Prosecutors argue that he poses a risk of reoffending and should therefore remain in pretrial detention.
Sources: Der Spiegel.