The son of a Norwegian princess who was convicted of rape, was sentenced to 4 years in prison

Marius Borg HoibyThe eldest son of Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, was sentenced to four years in prison on Monday after being convicted of two counts of rape and 32 other counts.

He was found guilty of two crimes four counts of rape against him and he was released from the other two.

He was also convicted of assault and domestic violence. In addition to the prison sentence, Hoiby was ordered to pay restitution to the victims.

Hoiby, 29, was charged with sexually abusing four women who were sleeping or unable to resist between 2018 and 2024.

He faced each other 40 criminal charges in totalincluding other minor crimes, such as assault, drug-related crimes and restraining order violations.

Hoiby had denied the allegations of rape but pleaded guilty to several minor charges.

Prosecutors had asked the Oslo District Court to sentence him to seven years and seven months in prison, while the defendant's lawyers said he should be acquitted of the rape charges and not receive more than 18 months for the crimes he confessed to.

The sentence is not final and Hoiby can appeal.

“It is normal for him to consider contesting the serious charges he was convicted of and pleaded not guilty to,” defense lawyer Ellen Holager Andenaes told AFP.

The prosecutor, Sturla Henriksbo, called the verdict “a victory for our justice system” and told AFP that it “shows that no one breaks the law, no matter who they are or who they are related to.”

Hoiby was not in court on Monday due to health reasons. Watch the reading of the verdict via a video link from the jail.

The six-week trial concluded in March after the testimony of several accusers and the presentation of evidence, including text messages, photos and videos from Hoiby's cell phone.

The case has generated a lot of international attention because of Hoiby's connection to the royal family, which has been around for a long time I'm ashamed of it. Hoiby is Mette-Marit's son from her premarital relationship with Norway's Prince Haakon, the heir apparent to the country's throne. Although he was raised by the royal couple and grew up in the future king's household, Hoiby has no formal public role or royal position, as his siblings do.

Mette-Marit's health has deteriorated as the case continues. crown princess, with pulmonary fibrosis and is still awaiting a lung transplant, has been in the middle of a legal battle over whether her son should be temporarily released from custody before the verdict. The appeals courts decided that Hoiby should remain in custody while awaiting sentencing.

The case also comes amid renewed scrutiny of the royal family following revelations of the Mette-Marit case. past contacts with Jeffrey Epsteinthe deceased who had sex. He publicly apologized to the association and said he had not used good judgment in keeping contact with him. He is not accused of wrongdoing.