### Son of Norwegian Crown Princess Faces Second Rape Allegation

Marius Borg Høiby, the 27-year-old son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit, is now facing a second rape allegation just days after his initial arrest for a similar charge. Following a detention hearing at Oslo District Court for the first alleged offense, Oslo Police District requested that Høiby be held in custody for another two weeks, as new evidence of a second alleged rape came to light.

Police prosecutor Andreas Kruszewski revealed on Wednesday that the second allegation emerged from ongoing investigative material, identifying a new incident overnight and on Thursday morning. The police in Oslo are now thoroughly investigating this additional case. According to their statement, the second incident also involved sexual activity without intercourse with a woman deemed incapable of resisting.

Under Norway's penal code, committing such an act can result in a maximum prison sentence of up to 10 years. Despite these serious accusations, Høiby's lawyer, Øyvind Bratlien, has stated that his client only acknowledges guilt in a distinct case involving bodily harm, criminal damage to his ex-girlfriend's apartment, and a threat. Bratlien emphasized that Høiby does not admit to any other criminal actions.

Høiby was initially arrested on Monday night, facing accusations of performing a sexual act without intercourse on a victim who was unable to resist. The first alleged victim, a woman in her 20s, met Høiby on the day of the incident and did not have any prior relationship with him, according to her lawyer, Hege Salomon.

Reacting to the unfolding situation, Norway's Crown Prince Haakon expressed concern, noting the impact on everyone around Høiby. He stated, "These are serious accusations that Marius is now facing. Today, we are of course thinking of all those affected," and added that the police and judicial system must be given the space to perform their duties effectively.

Marius Borg Høiby, born before his mother Mette-Marit married Crown Prince Haakon in 2001, remains outside the line of royal succession in Norway.