RAPE: PROSECUTORS DEMAND SEVEN-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE FOR NORWAY PRINCESS’ SON

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By: Muftau Fatimo

The scandal, which has significantly tarnished the image of the Norway monarchy, began on August 4, 2024, when police arrested Marius Borg Høiby on suspicion of assaulting his girlfriend the previous night.

The subsequent investigation uncovered multiple other alleged offences, with video footage and images on Høiby’s phone and laptop reportedly depicting acts that police believe were rapes.

The four alleged victims were reportedly unaware of what had occurred or that the acts could be considered criminal until they were called in for questioning by authorities.

Following the prosecution’s closing arguments, lawyers representing the alleged victims were scheduled to address the court, with Høiby’s defense team set to present their final arguments on Thursday.

The court is expected to deliver its verdict in several weeks or possibly months.

Norway prosecutors on Wednesday requested a prison sentence of seven years and seven months for Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, for crimes including the rape of four women.

Høiby, 29, the princess’s son from a relationship prior to her 2001 marriage to Crown Prince Haakon, faces trial on 40 charges, which carry a maximum sentence of 16 years in prison.

“Rape can leave lasting scars and destroy lives,” prosecutor Sturla Henriksbo told an Oslo court on the penultimate day of the trial, a case that has drawn international attention.

“It is an experience that victims may carry with them for their entire lives,” he added.

Dressed in jeans and a blue sweater, Hoiby, who does not formally belong to the royal household, did not react to the sentence called for by the prosecutor.

Hoiby has pleaded guilty to several relatively minor offences, but has denied the alleged rapes, which the prosecution said took place while the women were asleep or passed out.

Central to the case has been whether or not the women were in a condition to object to having sex.