Marius Borg Høiby Goes on Trial in Oslo on 38-Count Indictment Including Rape

Overview

• The 29-year-old son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit faces 38 charges that include four alleged rapes, abuse in intimate relationships, threats, violence and transporting 3.5 kilograms of marijuana.
• Høiby pleaded not guilty to the rape counts and a domestic-violence charge, admitted lesser offenses such as offensive sexual behavior and traffic violations, and entered partial guilty pleas to aggravated assault and reckless conduct.
• Police arrested him on the eve of the trial on suspicion of assault, violating a restraining order and issuing knife threats, and he has been ordered held for four weeks as the defense prepares an appeal.
• The Oslo court imposed strict privacy rules that ban photographing the defendant at the courthouse and prohibit identifying the four women alleging rape, with the trial scheduled to run for several weeks.
• Palace officials say they will not comment as Crown Prince Haakon emphasizes equal treatment under the law, and renewed scrutiny of Mette-Marit’s past contacts with Jeffrey Epstein has prompted a lost patronage role and calls from the prime minister for further explanation.