By Necva Tastan Sevinc
ISTANBUL (AA) - Marius Borg Hoiby, the son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, is facing multiple charges, including rape, sexual assault, and bodily harm, following the completion of a months-long police investigation, authorities announced on Friday.
The Oslo police said they have submitted the case to the state attorney general, who will decide whether formal charges will be filed against the 28-year-old, local broadcaster TV2 reported.
"The police have conducted a thorough investigation into the cases, including numerous witness interviews, several searches, and the review of extensive digital material," police attorney Andreas Kruszewski told a press conference.
Hoiby faces 23 charges in all, including rape, sexual assault, sexually offensive conduct, intimate partner abuse, and physical injury.
He also faces one count of threats, five violations of a restraining order, one case of harassment of a police officer, and five traffic offenses.
Kruszewski confirmed that the investigation involves a "double-digit" number of alleged victims but declined to provide further details.
Despite the severity of the charges, police have not requested that Hoiby be held in pretrial detention.
Defense Attorney Ellen Holager Andenes said her client denies criminal liability for the most serious charges, particularly those related to sexual offenses.
She told Norwegian media that there are between 15 and 20 alleged victims in the case.
The Royal Palace has not commented on the case.