The son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Marius Borg Høiby, has been denied release from prison despite his mother's worsening health. A Norwegian court of appeals rejected his request for freedom after a lower court had ordered his release pending a verdict on 40 criminal charges, according to the BBC.
Trial and Charges
Høiby was on trial earlier this year for a total of 40 charges, including allegations of raping four women, domestic abuse, and other crimes. He has pleaded not guilty to the four rape charges. However, he pleaded guilty to several driving offences, an aggravated drugs offence, breaking a restraining order, and partially to threats and aggravated assault.
Mother's Health Crisis
The request for release came after news that Crown Princess Mette-Marit will undergo a lung transplant as soon as possible due to her chronic pulmonary fibrosis diagnosis worsening. Høiby's defence attorney, Ellen Holager Andenas, told Norwegian news outlet NRK that they requested his release as his mother's health declines. His stepsister, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, flew back from Australia, where she is a student at the University of Sydney, to be with her mother.
Ms Andenas stated: "We have asked the police to do it, and if the police don't do it, we will have to go to court. I find it hard to believe that they won't seriously consider it now."
Custody and Court Decisions
Høiby, who was born from a previous relationship of the Crown Princess, has been in custody since his trial concluded on February 1. Last month, he requested release to live at his stepfather's official residence, Skaugum, while wearing an ankle monitor. However, the Oslo District Court refused, citing a high risk of reoffending, and he remained at Oslo Prison.
A district court later ruled on Monday that he should be freed, stating that while there was a "marginal risk" of reoffending, keeping him in jail would be "disproportionately intrusive." Høiby told the court: "Sitting inside when I know mum is so sick is unbearable."
On Wednesday, the court of appeal rejected this assessment, arguing that the risk of reoffending was "virtually unchanged." Ms Andenas expressed disappointment: "We are very, very disappointed on behalf of our client. One can imagine how he feels."
Verdict Pending
Høiby's trial has concluded, and a verdict is expected on June 15.
