Norwegian court blocks Marius Borg Høiby's release to visit gravely ill mother, citing high risk of reoffending
An Oslo appeals court overturned a lower court's decision to release Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, ruling the risk of new offences is too high even as his mother awaits a lung transplant.
The appeals court ruling
An Oslo appeals court ruled on Wednesday that Marius Borg Høiby must remain in pre-trial detention, reversing a lower court decision from Monday that would have allowed the 29-year-old to be with his mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who is critically ill with pulmonary fibrosis. The appeals court stated there remains "a high probability that Høiby will commit further offences if released," according to Norwegian broadcaster NRK.
We are very, very disappointed and do not understand the decision.
Høiby's defence team is now considering an appeal to Norway's Supreme Court. The prosecution had immediately appealed Monday's release order with suspensive effect, preventing Høiby from leaving custody.
The charges and upcoming verdict
Høiby has been in custody since early February and faces 40 charges, including the rape of four women while they were sleeping and repeated violence against a former girlfriend. He has denied the most serious charges. The trial ran from 3 February to 19 March, and the verdict is expected next Monday.
Being locked up while I know mum is so unwell is unbearable.
The prosecution has requested a prison sentence of seven years and seven months. Høiby is not formally a member of the Norwegian royal house; he was born from a relationship Mette-Marit had before her 2001 marriage to Crown Prince Haakon.
Mette-Marit's deteriorating health
Crown Princess Mette-Marit suffers from the chronic, incurable lung disease pulmonary fibrosis. Last week she was placed on the waiting list for a lung transplant. According to Norwegian media, a precondition for being listed is that a patient has at most one year to live without a new lung. She now uses an oxygen concentrator daily.
Her health has worsened recently, prompting her daughter Princess Ingrid Alexandra to return home from her studies in Australia. Crown Prince Haakon cut short a trip to Japan to be with his wife.
A burden on the crown
The trial and the scandal surrounding Mette-Marit's friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have weighed heavily on the crown princess in recent months, compounding her illness. The case has clouded the image of the Norwegian monarchy. Høiby told the Oslo court on Monday that he would never do anything to worsen the family's situation, calling it "totally unthinkable."
- Høiby's trial begins; he is taken into pre-trial detention in early February.
- Trial concludes after hearing 40 charges including four counts of rape.
- Høiby's earlier request for release with electronic ankle monitor is rejected by Norway's Supreme Court.
- Mette-Marit is placed on the waiting list for a lung transplant.
- Oslo district court grants Høiby's release request; prosecution appeals immediately.
- Oslo appeals court overturns the release, ruling risk of reoffending too high.
- Verdict in Høiby's criminal trial expected.
