In brief
Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit, is on trial for various sexual offenses, including four counts of rape. Prosecutors are seeking a sentence of seven years and seven months after wrapping up their case. Høiby, who denies the most severe crimes, claims that the sexual encounters with the women involved were consensual. The trial has generated significant media attention and is set to conclude soon.
Prosecutors in the trial of Marius Borg Høiby, son of Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit, have requested a jail term of seven years and seven months, arguing he should be found guilty of 39 of the 40 charges he is accused of. The 29-year-old denies the most serious charges, which include four counts of rape as well as serious assault. The trial, which began in early February, is due to come to an end this week and the three judges will then retire to consider their verdicts.Hoiby was in court on Wednesday as the prosecution wrapped up its case. He was born before his mother married Norway's crown prince in 2001, and grew up within the royal family without being a member of it. He maintains that he had consensual sex with all four women before the alleged rapes took place. His defence lawyers were due to begin summing up their case later.The defendant has pleaded guilty to some of the lesser offences, which include a drugs charge, traffic offences, and breaching a restraining order. He has also partially admitted a charge of seriously assaulting a woman in her flat but has denied charges of criminal abuse related to his ex-girlfriend, Nora Haukland.Giving evidence last week, the crown princess's son complained of the immense pressure of media coverage of the trial and how he had become an object of hatred, stating, 'I'm not Marius anymore, I'm a monster.' The state prosecutor, Sturla Henriksbø, emphasized that Høiby should be judged for his actions, not his identity, and that rape can leave lasting scars and destroy lives.The charges brought against him include videos taken of the women at the time of the alleged offenses, and while he has admitted to some accusations, the trial remains a subject of intense public interest in Norway.
