Norway's Supreme Court keeps Marius Borg Høiby in pre-trial detention

A final appeal fails

Norway's Supreme Court rejected the appeal of Marius Borg Høiby (29), the eldest son of Queen Mette-Marit, against the continued extension of his pre-trial detention. The ruling, reported on Tuesday, 10 November, is the last instance in which he sought release, and the court gave no reasons for its decision. Høiby's lawyer Daniel Storrvik told broadcaster TV 2 that the defence accepted the outcome. Storrvik, who has represented Høiby together with Alexander Greaker since autumn, said his client had been aware that this result was likely.

“We take note of the decision.”

Custody and house arrest at Skaugum

Høiby has been held in custody since 2 February, and his main trial in Oslo began the following day. Over the summer he won the right to serve his detention at his home at Skaugum, wearing an ankle tag. After 16 weeks there, Storrvik described the situation as "unbearable". According to the news agency NTB, the court has extended his detention every four weeks since February. Family and friends may visit him at any time, and the ruling also describes what his days on the estate look like.

Two courts, opposite rulings

The Oslo District Court concluded that Høiby could be released, subject to a duty to report to the authorities and continued drug testing. The prosecution opposed that decision and took the case to the appeals court, arguing that he could offend again. The appeals court overturned the district court's ruling, and police attorney Oda Karterud had argued in court for continued detention. Høiby and his lawyers then turned to the Supreme Court, which has now rejected the appeal.

The alcohol test at the centre of the appeal

The appeals court's reasoning focused mainly on an alcohol test. During an unannounced check, the test registered alcohol in Høiby's system. Alcohol and other intoxicants are banned for him while he is detained at home. The reading was taken with three different devices over just over two hours. Høiby denies having drunk alcohol and attributed the result partly to mouthwash and partly to fermented apple juice. The judges found that explanation "not credible", and they concluded there was an immediate danger that he could not stay away from drugs if released.

A four-year sentence and an appeal ahead

In June, Høiby was sentenced to four years in prison for a series of offences under Norwegian law, including two rapes. He has appealed that judgment. Tagesspiegel reports that the appeal trial is due to start in February 2027, when the rape convictions and the domestic violence against a former girlfriend will be retried. Under the current order, the ankle tag remains in place for at least until 30 November, and that date is the next fixed point in his case.