OSLO — A Norwegian appeal court rejected Marius Borg Høiby's request to be released from custody ahead of a verdict in a rape trial. The Oslo appeal court overturned a lower court's decision from Monday that had ordered the 29-year-old's release pending a verdict on 40 criminal charges.
Prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of seven years and seven months for Høiby. He denies the most serious allegations against him, which include rape, violence, threats, and abusive behavior within a relationship. Høiby admitted to lesser charges, including drug possession and traffic offenses.
Høiby's lawyers argued that he needed to be close to his mother, Princess Mette-Marit, due to her health condition. Doctors placed the 52-year-old princess on a waiting list for a lung transplant last week. The princess is suffering from pulmonary fibrosis, a condition diagnosed in 2018 that causes breathing difficulties and creates scar tissue in the lungs.
"Sitting inside when I know Mum is so sick is unbearable," Høiby told a district court. The district court had noted that Høiby had been free of drugs while in prison. However, the court of appeal argued on Wednesday that the risk of Høiby re-offending was virtually unchanged since a May 13 decision. The appeal court also decided there was an obvious risk that Høiby would have further contact with the complainant. "We are very, very disappointed on behalf of our client," defense lawyer Ellen Holager Andenæs said.
Høiby has been in custody since early February following detention over allegations of assault and violating a restraining order. Crown Prince Haakon and the princess visited Høiby in an Oslo prison last Sunday. Høiby was also temporarily released from jail on Monday to meet his mother's doctor at the Skaugum estate outside Oslo. Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus visited Høiby last Thursday after her hospital admission. When asked about the crown princess's health, Queen Sonja said, "The situation is serious."
Høiby is not a member of the Norwegian royal family, having been born before his mother married Prince Haakon, but he was raised within the royal family. King Harald is 89 years old and Queen Sonja is 88 years old.