Marius Borg Høiby’s sentencing is scheduled for June 15. On that day, Borg will learn if he faces up to seven years and seven months in prison. As he prepares for the verdict, he’s not giving up.
After two denials from the Oslo District Court and the Borgarting Court of Appeal, Borg is now turning to Norway’s Supreme Court. His goal is to leave prison and complete the remainder of his pretrial detention from home, specifically at Skaugum Estate, where he would stay with his mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and her husband, Crown Prince Haakon.
“We believe that the Court of Appeal’s ruling is not sufficiently justified, and we are therefore requesting that the ruling be overturned,” one of Borg’s lawyers told the Norwegian outlet VG.
Borg has been charged with 40 offenses, including four counts of rape. Following repeated violations of a restraining order, Høiby was taken to Oslo Prison to remain in custody while awaiting the verdict. Judges argued that there was a high risk of reoffending. “The Court of Appeal cannot conclude that the risk of repeated offenses against the victims has been reduced simply because the parties state that the relationship is over and that neither side wishes to remain in contact,” the ruling stated.
© NTB/AFP via Getty ImagesThe court’s reasoning echoes the arguments that led to Borg’s detention earlier this year, after there was an altercation involving a knife that allegedly took place shortly before the start of the trial.
Earlier in the proceedings, Borg opened up about the challenges of living in prison, specifically the isolation he experiences because inmates accused of sexual crimes are separated from the general prison population under Norwegian prison regulations. He also cited the poor air quality in the prison, arguing that it made visits difficult for one of his close family members. This person is believed to be his mother, who suffers from pulmonary fibrosis.
According to Norwegian media reports, around 140 prisoners have requested similar arrangements involving electronic monitoring, with only a small number of approvals granted.
© LISE ASERUDBorg is supported by Haakon and Mette-Marit
Borg continues to seek release from prison with the support of his family. Under Norwegian law, a request to complete detention from home with electronic monitoring requires approval from the primary adult residents. If Borg’s request were approved, Haakon and Mette-Marit would assume responsibility for him, ensuring that he complied with the numerous conditions established by the Norwegian Correctional Service. These include a guarantee that Borg remains at the residence at all times and permission from correctional officials to inspect the property if necessary.
While Borg is being treated like any other Norwegian citizen in the justice system, Skaugum presents a unique situation for the country. The estate is privately owned, but partially maintained with public funding. Still, unlike the Royal Palace, Skaugum is not state property.
© LISE ASERUDIs Borg trying to set a favorable legal precedent ahead of June 15?
All of this is unfolding weeks before Borg’s sentencing. Prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of seven years and seven months, while his defense team has argued for a lighter sentence if he is convicted only on the charges he has admitted to.
The four rape charges are expected to play a central role in the final verdict. Borg has denied all allegations related to rape.
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