August M
Norway’s Supreme Court has ruled that Marius Borg Høiby will remain behind bars, rejecting his latest attempt to serve his pre-trial detention under electronic monitoring instead of in prison.
The decision marks the third failed appeal by the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit to avoid remaining in custody while awaiting verdicts in his high-profile criminal case, reports DR News.
Supreme Court decision
According to TV 2 Norway, the country’s highest court dismissed Høiby’s request to be transferred from prison to house arrest with an electronic ankle monitor.
Høiby had proposed serving detention at a property located near the Crown Prince couple’s residence at Skaugum.
Lower courts had already rejected the request twice before the Supreme Court upheld those decisions.
The 28-year-old has been held in custody since early February.
Defense arguments
Høiby’s legal team argued that prison conditions were causing him significant stress and limiting his social contact.
The defense also pointed to difficulties faced by Crown Princess Mette-Marit when visiting her son in prison.
The Crown Princess suffers from chronic pulmonary fibrosis and has recently appeared publicly using oxygen assistance devices.
According to the defense, poor air quality inside the prison building complicated her ability to visit regularly.
Serious charges
Høiby is facing 40 charges in total, including accusations of rape, domestic violence, and assault.
A final verdict in the case is expected on June 15.
He has denied the most serious allegations but has admitted to several offenses, including violating a restraining order, speeding, and causing bodily harm to one of the alleged victims.
Prison battle continues
The defense has argued that Høiby should receive a sentence of around one and a half years in prison.
Prosecutors, however, are reportedly seeking a far harsher sentence of seven years and seven months.
The case has generated intense attention in Norway due to Høiby’s connection to the royal family and the growing scrutiny surrounding the Crown Prince household in recent months.
Sources: DR News, TV 2 Norway
