Marius Borg Høiby, the 28-year-old son of Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit, is suspected of 23 offenses and crimes, including three rapes. The stepson of the future king was already arrested three times last year.
The Norwegian police conducted a ten-month investigation into Høiby, who does not hold a royal title and does not perform public functions. The public prosecutor’s office in Oslo will now decide whether he will be prosecuted.
In addition to three rapes, Høiby is suspected of assault and threats. According to the police, he also assaulted an officer and committed several traffic offenses.
The police say they have conducted a “thorough investigation”. Høiby was arrested last August after his girlfriend accused him of abuse. Since then, the police have been investigating him, during which “many witnesses were heard, multiple searches were conducted, and digital material was analyzed.”
According to the Norwegian broadcaster NRK, the police are keeping the number of Høiby’s victims in the middle, but confirm that there are at least ten victims. One of his lawyers says there are between fifteen and twenty victims.
No members of the royal family questioned
Høiby strongly denies that he is guilty of rape, his lawyer says. “He pleads not guilty on essential points,” says counsel Petar Sekulic.
The police have not questioned any members of the royal family. The Norwegian court reports that the case is before the judge and that the usual procedures are being followed. “We have nothing further to add to this.”
Høiby was previously described in the Norwegian media as the “black sheep” of the royal family. His mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, had him during a previous relationship with advertising salesman Morton Borg.