World · Europe · 5 hrs ago
Oslo court says Marius Borg Høiby can leave custody pending appeal
An Oslo court ruled Marius Borg Høiby can leave custody while he awaits an appeal hearing.
Høiby, 29, is the son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit and stepson of King Haakon.
He has been held at a royal estate outside Oslo under electronic monitoring.
In June, he was sentenced to four years in prison for rape and other crimes, and he has appealed the convictions.
Prosecutors oppose his release and have appealed the court’s decision, asking for it to be put on hold.
A higher court must review the ruling, so it is not yet clear when he may be released.
His appeal trial is due to start in February.
An Oslo district court ruled on Monday that Marius Borg Høiby can be released from custody while he awaits an appeal hearing over his convictions.
The decision must be reviewed by a higher court and could be overturned, so it is not yet clear when he will be released.
Prosecutors appealed the ruling and asked for it to be suspended.
The court’s decision would also allow Høiby to have his electronic ankle monitor removed.
Høiby, 29, was sentenced in June to four years in prison and has appealed parts of the verdict.
- Who
- Marius Borg Høiby, son of Queen Mette-Marit and stepson of King Haakon.
- What
- An Oslo court ruled that he can be released from custody while awaiting an appeal hearing. A higher court must review the decision.
- When
- Monday, November 2, 2026.
- Where
- Oslo, Norway.
- Why
- The court ruled in favour of release after considering his case; the sources report that prosecutors opposed release and argued that it was too early.
Prosecutors
Høiby’s defense
Release
Prosecutors
Prosecutors argued that release was premature and cited the risk of further offences.
Høiby’s defense
His defense asked for his release and argued that he had shown he could avoid drugs and new offences.
Custody conditions
Prosecutors
Prosecutors sought to keep him in custody for another four weeks.
Høiby’s defense
His defense argued that the existing restrictions, including electronic monitoring, had caused isolation and hardship.
Høiby was arrested, according to Bild.
Høiby was sentenced to four years in prison and appealed parts of the verdict.
He was allowed to serve custody under electronic monitoring at the Skaugum estate, according to 20 Minuten.
The Oslo district court ruled that Høiby could be released, subject to review by a higher court.
Prosecutors appealed the decision and sought to suspend its effect.
Høiby’s appeal trial is due to start.
- Age
- 29
- Court
- Oslo district court
- Sentence
- Four years in prison
- Convictions
- Two counts of rape, domestic violence and other crimes
- Monitoring
- Electronic ankle monitor at a royal estate outside Oslo
- Appeal hearing
- Due to start in February 2027
6 sources
محكمة نرويجية تُجيز الإفراج المؤقت عن ابن زوجة ملك النرويج المدان بالاغتصاب
Keine Fußfessel mehr - Marius Borg Høiby kommt frei!
Norwegisches Königshaus – Norwegisches Gericht will Høiby aus U-Haft freilassen
Norway king's stepson can be released from custody while awaiting rape case appeal, court rules
Marius Borg Høiby soll aus U-Haft entlassen werden
What people are saying
The time is simply not right yet.
Marius is relieved by this decision. The prosecution has appealed the outcome without knowing the court’s reasoning. We therefore expect it to reconsider once it knows the contents of the court’s decision.
It is an isolation that makes it very, very difficult for him.