Trial Begins for Norwegian 'Bonus Prince' Marius Borg Høiby Amid Serious Criminal Allegations

The trial against Marius Borg Høiby, a 29-year-old Norwegian known as the "bonus prince," has officially commenced in Oslo. Høiby faces grave accusations, including allegations of serial rape and domestic abuse, marking the case as one of the biggest scandals in modern European monarchies. The proceedings began amidst widespread public attention and provide a comprehensive timeline of events leading up to the legal process.

Recent revelations have intensified the scrutiny on Høiby. Audio recordings featured in the documentary "Marius Uncovered" reveal chilling threats he made during a violent incident in August 2024. In one instance, Høiby threatened to burn a woman’s belongings, warning, "If you are not here within an hour, I will pour gasoline on your clothes and set them on fire." Another disturbing comment caught on tape was, "I want you to die." These tapes also include a call placed to Ulf Andersen, a former editor of the Norwegian magazine Se og Hør, where Høiby ominously uttered the same phrase, raising fears of threats extending beyond the immediate victims.

The Norwegian press has come under criticism for its relatively lenient coverage of Høby’s case, despite the seriousness of the allegations. Notably, former girlfriends of Høiby had alerted Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of his troubling behavior, but these warnings had not previously brought the issue into the public eye with the force it now demands.

The trial, set to be closely followed across Sweden and the Nordic countries, weighs heavily on public discourse due to Høby’s connection to the royal family and the severity of his alleged offenses. It opens a critical chapter in the discussion on violence and abuse linked to individuals within elite circles.