Prosecutors in the trial of Marius Borg Høiby, son of Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit, have requested a jail term of seven years and seven months, arguing he should be found guilty of 39 out of 40 charges he faces.
The 29-year-old denies the most serious charges, which include four counts of rape and serious assault. The trial began earlier this year and is set to conclude shortly, with judges expected to retire to consider their verdicts.
Høiby appeared in court Wednesday as the prosecution concluded its case. Born before his mother married Norway's crown prince, he was raised within the royal family but never officially recognized as a member.
He insists that all encounters were consensual, but several serious allegations loom. Among these, he has admitted to lesser offenses, including drug possession and traffic violations, but continues to deny the most severe accusations linked to alleged assaults on multiple women.
The trial has unfolded with immense scrutiny in the media, leading Høiby to express frustration over how the coverage has impacted his life, saying, 'I'm not Marius anymore; I'm a monster.' Meanwhile, proceedings have stirred public interest, especially considering recent controversies involving the crown princess herself.
As the prosecution laid out their interpretations of the case, they highlighted the serious nature of the charges posed against Høiby and the repercussions of sexual crimes on victims' lives, urging for appropriate sentencing based on the evidence presented.
