Høiby appeals detention ruling to Norway’s Supreme Court

Marius Borg Høiby asked an Oslo court to release him from pre-trial detention on Monday, while prosecutors argued he should remain in custody for another four weeks. The court’s decision was not confirmed in the reports available that day.

Høiby, 29, appeared in Oslo District Court with his lawyer, who argued that detention with an electronic tag at the Skaugum estate was no longer workable. Prosecutors said they feared he could commit further offences if released.

He has been held in custody since February and has been staying at Skaugum under electronic monitoring since July. He must take frequent drug tests and attend weekly meetings with a police programme focused on preventing violence in close relationships.

Høiby was sentenced in June to four years in prison for offences including the rape of two women and abuse of a former partner. He has appealed the conviction; the appeal is due to be heard in February.

Update

Marius Borg Høiby will remain in pre-trial detention until 30 November after a Norwegian appeals court overturned a lower court’s decision to release him under conditions.

Borgarting Court of Appeal ruled on Wednesday that he must continue serving his remand at the Skaugum estate under electronic monitoring. The prosecution had appealed the Oslo District Court’s decision on Monday, which would have allowed Høiby to leave detention subject to reporting requirements and drug and alcohol testing.

The appeals court said those conditions were not enough to prevent him from drinking. It also concluded that the risk of further offences was too high if he were released, according to its ruling. The court’s decision was unanimous.

Høiby’s lawyers, Alexander Greaker and Daniel Storrvik, said they had hoped for a different outcome. They said they would study the court’s reasoning and discuss next steps with their client.

Høiby, 29, was sentenced in June to four years in prison for, among other offences, two rapes and abuse of a former partner. He has appealed those convictions. His appeal hearing is scheduled to begin in February.

Update

Marius Borg Høiby’s lawyers are appealing to Norway’s Supreme Court against a ruling that he should remain in pre-trial detention, saying the Court of Appeal misinterpreted the law.

The lawyers confirmed the appeal to VG on Friday. They said they could not publicly explain all the circumstances behind their arguments because of Høiby’s privacy and health, but added that this did not mean those circumstances were unimportant.

The appeal follows a series of rulings on his detention. A lower court had said Høiby could be released, but prosecutors appealed and the Borgarting Court of Appeal ruled on Wednesday that he should remain in custody. The court cited the risk that he could commit further offences if released.