, the eldest son of Norway鈥檚 Crown Princess Mette-Marit, was sentenced to four years in prison Monday after being convicted of rape.
He was found guilty of two of the four rape charges he was facing and acquitted of the other two.
He was also convicted of assault and abuse in close relationships. In addition to the prison sentence, H酶iby was ordered to pay compensation to the victims.
H酶iby, 29, had been charged with sexually assaulting four women who were asleep or otherwise unable to resist between 2018 and 2024.
He faced a total of 40 criminal charges including some for lesser offenses, such as assault, drug-related crimes and violations of a restraining order.
H酶iby had denied the rape allegations but admitted to several of the lesser offenses.
Prosecutors had asked Oslo District Court to sentence him to seven years and seven months in prison, while defense lawyers had argued that he of the rape allegations and receive no more than 18 months for offenses he had admitted to.
The sentence is not final and H酶iby can appeal.
H酶iby was not present in court on Monday because of health reasons. He watched the reading of the verdict via a video link from prison.
The six-week trial concluded in March after testimony from multiple accusers and presentation of evidence, including messages, images and videos from H酶iby鈥檚 cellphone.
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EDITOR鈥橲 NOTE: This story includes discussion of sexual assault. If you or someone you know needs help, please call 1-800-656-4673 for the national sexual assault hotline in the U.S. or +47 800 57 000 for the helpline for victims of sexual abuse in Norway.
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The case has generated intense international attention because of H酶iby鈥檚 connection to the royal family. Although he holds no royal title and has no official duties, he’s the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit from a relationship before her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon, the heir to Norway鈥檚 throne, and he grew up in the household with the future king.
Interest has intensified in recent days as Mette-Marit鈥檚 health has deteriorated. The crown princess, who has pulmonary fibrosis and is awaiting a lung transplant, has been at the center of legal arguments over whether her son should be granted temporary release from custody before the verdict. Appeals courts ruled that H酶iby should remain detained while awaiting judgment.
The trial has also unfolded amid renewed scrutiny of the royal family following disclosures about Mette-Marit鈥檚 past contacts with Jeffrey Epstein, the deceased sex offender. She for the association and said she exercised poor judgment in maintaining contact with him. She isn’t accused of any wrongdoing.
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