When the three judges in courtroom 250 of the Oslo District Court make their decision, Høiby (29) will learn his sentence via video link due to health reasons. The verdict comes almost three months after the end of a trial involving as many as 40 charges, including four counts of rape.
He denies the most serious charges but admits to some of the lesser ones, including drug and traffic offences.
The prosecution is asking for a sentence of seven years and seven months in prison, while the defense believes that the sentence should be around a year and a half.
Høiby has been in custody since the beginning of February, and was arrested shortly before the start of the trial on suspicion of assault and violation of a restraining order against his ex-girlfriend.
His requests for release have been repeatedly denied.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit, his mother, is in critical health and was put on the list for a lung transplant last week. According to the doctor’s information, patients on that list often have a life expectancy of less than a year.
Prince Haakon and the royal family are facing great pressure and crisis, while the public in Norway is concerned with the future of the monarchy.
During the trial, the royal family mostly stayed away from court, while Prince Haakon tried to balance support for Marius and understanding for the victims who testified.
The charges include the alleged rapes of four women who, according to the prosecution, were unconscious or incapable of consent after having sex with Høibi. He denies all the accusations.
The prosecution is asking for multi-year sentences for several counts of the indictment, although in the Norwegian system sentences do not add up linearly.
In addition to the most serious charges, Høiby also pleaded guilty to possession and distribution of marijuana, driving without a license and violating a restraining order.
The case caused great public attention and seriously shook the reputation of the Norwegian royal family, which has been in an institutional crisis for months.
Analysts warn that the verdict could have long-term consequences for the monarchy’s reputation, while international attention is expected in the days following the decision.
King Harald and Queen Sonja, although in advanced years, currently do not have the ability to significantly influence the situation, while the public’s focus increasingly turns to Prince Haakon as the future bearer of the monarchy.
The case is expected to further raise questions about the stability and future of the Norwegian royal family.
(Vijesti.ba)
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