Marius Borg Høiby, seated beside his mother, Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit, in an AFP File Photo, has been released from custody, according to police. The eldest son of Norway's crown princess, who was previously suspected of two rapes, is now under suspicion for another sex crime, though details of the new allegation have not been disclosed.
The 27-year-old, born out of Crown Princess Mette-Marit's relationship prior to her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon, was arrested on November 18 on suspicion of rape. A judge ordered him held in custody for a week after a second rape suspicion surfaced two days later. Police stated that both alleged rapes involved a 'sexual act without intercourse' where the victims were in a condition that rendered them 'unable to resist'.
On Wednesday, police announced they were not seeking an extension of his custody, leading to his release. 'As of now, we can no longer see that there is a risk of evidence tampering,' police said in a statement. Hoiby's lawyer, Oyvind Bratlien, asserted that his client's release indicated the evidence against him had 'significantly weakened'. The court's decision to hold him in custody was deemed 'wrong' and a result of 'catastrophic misjudgments' by the lawyer.
In addition to the sex crimes, Hoiby is also suspected of physical abuse against three ex-girlfriends and violation of a restraining order. Restraining orders have been issued against him regarding two other women. Raised by the royal couple alongside his step-siblings Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, Hoiby does not hold an official public role. His legal troubles came to light following an accusation of bodily harm stemming from a late-night altercation on August 4 at a girlfriend's Oslo apartment. Norwegian media reported that police discovered a knife embedded in one of the woman's bedroom walls.
In a statement to Norwegian broadcaster NRK on August 14, Hoiby admitted to causing bodily harm and material damage 'while under the influence of alcohol and cocaine after an argument'. He acknowledged struggling with 'mental troubles' and 'substance abuse' for an extended period.
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