Marius Borg Høiby released after nine months in custody – appeal pending
Oslo District Court orders the release of Mette-Marit's son. The prosecution has appealed – a rape verdict is not yet final.
Oslo District Court orders release from custody
Marius Borg Høiby, son of Norwegian Queen Mette-Marit, has been released after nine months in custody. The Oslo District Court approved his release, as reported by krone.at citing Norwegian newspaper "VG". However, the prosecution immediately appealed against this decision – it had requested a further four-week extension of custody.
Pending the appeal court's hearing of the appeal, the 29-year-old stepson of King Harald V. remains in custody. His final release thus depends on the outcome of this proceeding.
Conditions: drug testing mandatory
The release is conditional. According to the District Court's ruling, Marius must undergo regular drug tests. His defence lawyer Daniel Storrvik expressed satisfaction with the decision to "VG": "Marius is happy and relieved, but views it with caution since it is not yet final." Whether the electronic ankle monitor could be removed as early as Tuesday remained unclear initially.
Custody at Skaugum – under strict conditions
Most recently, Marius Borg Høiby was held in a house on the Skaugum estate, the residence of the Norwegian royal couple, and wore an electronic ankle monitor. He was permitted visits, and his mother Mette-Marit was allowed to see him daily in the main house. Following Monday's hearing, lawyer Storrvik stated that the current situation was causing his client considerable difficulties.
Four years imprisonment for rape – appeal hearing from 9 February
The Oslo District Court had sentenced Marius Borg Høiby to four years in prison – amongst other things for the rape of two women and domestic violence against his former partner Nora Haukland. He appealed against this sentence; the hearing before the appeal court begins on 9 February. The prosecution also appealed against the sentence – it considered the imposed sentence too lenient.
Source: Google News AT — Crime (de)