Prosecutors in Norway have detailed four charges of rape against the son of Norway's crown princess, Marius Borg Høiby, in what is being described as the biggest case to come to court in years.
Høiby appeared in court to deny the most serious of the 38 offences he is accused of. The court heard evidence from a woman who alleged that she was raped by him in 2018.
His defense attorney emphasized the need for a fair trial, highlighting media scrutiny of Høiby, who is not a member of the royal family despite being the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit.
The trial exposes increasing pressures on Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who has faced backlash following revelations of her extensive communication with Jeffrey Epstein, a late US sex offender. Mette-Marit expressed regret for her past associations, impacting her role and reputation.
On the first day of the seven-week trial, Høiby dressed in casual attire and sat attentively as charges were read out. The court has imposed heavy restrictions, barring photos of the defendant and protecting the identities of the victims.
The prosecution asserted that the charges involve incidents where the alleged victims were incapacitated, leading to serious allegations against Høiby, including sexual assault and other related offences.
Høiby, who has been remanded in custody for several weeks, faces potential imprisonment of at least 10 years if convicted. His defense team plans to appeal against his pre-trial detention, as he prepares to testify in court.
This case not only weighs heavily on Høiby's future but also on the reputation of the Norwegian royal family, which has maintained a significant level of public support despite these challenges.
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