Marius Borg Høiby could regain his freedom despite a positive alcohol test, as Norwegian prosecutors appeal the decision over concerns about the risk of reoffending.
Marius Borg Høiby could be released after nine months in custody, although an unexpected positive alcohol test has complicated his situation. The Oslo District Court has granted the request of the son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit to end the house arrest he is serving at the family’s Skaugum residence under electronic monitoring. However, prosecutors have appealed the decision, arguing that there remains a significant risk of reoffending.
The ruling, announced on Monday, 2 November, represents an important development for the defence of the 29-year-old, who has been in custody since February. For the past 16 weeks, he has been confined to a property on the Skaugum estate, wearing an electronic ankle tag to monitor his movements.
The court’s decision is not yet final, meaning Høiby must remain under house arrest until the Borgarting Court of Appeal rules on the prosecution’s appeal.
The Positive Alcohol Test Complicating Marius Borg Høiby’s Release
One of the most controversial aspects of the case concerns the results of an unannounced alcohol test carried out during his stay at Skaugum. According to the court ruling, one of his weekly tests returned a positive result for alcohol, despite Høiby being expressly prohibited from consuming alcoholic drinks or other intoxicating substances.
Although the court considers it likely that he had consumed alcohol the day before the test, the Norwegian Correctional Service has not issued a formal report alleging a breach of his conditions.
His lawyer, Daniel Storrvik, has denied that his client knowingly consumed alcohol. “He denies having voluntarily consumed alcohol. Nobody from the Correctional Service suspected that he had been drinking, not even those who carried out the test,” he told Norwegian broadcaster TV2.
Prosecutor Oda Karterud, however, believes there are still insufficient safeguards to justify his release.
“There is a high risk of relapse into drug use if he is released now, and the risk of reoffending is high in this situation,” the prosecutor warned.
Despite these concerns, the court considers alternative monitoring measures sufficient, including a requirement to report to the police and undergo regular substance testing.
A New Rape Trial Scheduled for February 2027
The legal situation facing Marius Borg Høiby remains particularly serious. On 15 June, he was sentenced at first instance to four years in prison for offences including the rape of two women and the abuse of his former partner, Nora Haukland.
Both the defence and the prosecution appealed the verdict, meaning the conviction is not yet final. The retrial is scheduled to begin on 9 February 2027 before the Borgarting Court of Appeal.
Meanwhile, his lawyer has said that Høiby received the latest court ruling with relief, although he understands that he is not yet permitted to leave house arrest.
His immediate future now depends on the Court of Appeal’s decision, which will determine whether there are sufficient grounds to maintain the restrictions until the new trial takes place.
