Marius Borg Høiby (29) is allowed to serve his pretrial detention at home in the coming weeks. The Oslo prosecution is waiving an appeal against the district court's decision from Monday. This was announced by the Oslo police district in a press release on Tuesday afternoon, as reported by the Norwegian newspaper "VG". "This means that the accused will be transferred to detention with electronic monitoring today", police attorney Oda Karterud explained.
The Oslo District Court decided on Monday that Høiby may remain in pretrial detention for four weeks with an electronic ankle monitor at the Skaugum estate. The prosecution had until Tuesday at 12 noon to appeal the decision. It was a reasonable decision, said defense attorney Petar Sekulić. "But anything else would have been surprising", he told "VG". He also emphasized: "Høiby is glad that he is finally being released from prison, especially given his family situation."
Homecoming on the Same Day as Mette-Marit
The timing coincides with another announcement from the royal household. On Tuesday morning, the palace announced that Crown Princess Mette-Marit was discharged from the hospital following her lung transplant. Mother and son are thus returning home on the same day.
Høiby described in Monday's court hearing how much the separation from his family had recently weighed on him. "It is incredibly difficult not to be able to support her during her rehabilitation", he said according to "VG".
Four More Weeks of Pretrial Detention Due to Risk of Reoffending
The prosecution is attaching strict conditions to the house arrest. Høiby must refrain from any consumption of intoxicating substances, and the correctional service will conduct regular substance testing. In addition, he is to participate in a support program offered by the RISK police unit, which deals with violence in close relationships. The start is planned for this week.
Sentenced to Four Years in Prison
Høiby, who is from a previous relationship of Mette-Marit's, has been in pretrial detention since February 2, one day before he had to answer in Oslo District Court for numerous serious crimes. The Oslo District Court sentenced him on June 15 for, among other things, two instances of assault, bodily harm, and abuse in a close relationship to four years in prison. He was acquitted of two other assault charges. Since Høiby has appealed parts of the verdict, it is not yet final. Since the verdict was announced, he has been held in Ila prison in Bærum.
