By Steinar Schjetne/NTB
– She has not reported this herself, but is cooperating with the police. Beyond that, I can and will only ask for as much peace as possible, writes aid attorney Gunhild Vehusheia in a text message to NTB.
The police charged Marius Borg Høiby (27) this week with two counts of rape without intercourse, based on evidence uncovered during the investigation, police attorney Andreas Kruszewski stated after the detention hearing in Oslo District Court on Wednesday.
The last count of rape was added to the charge shortly before Høiby was produced for custody.
– It was found in the investigation material, and we are investigating it now, says police attorney Kruszewski.
Høiby denies any form of criminal guilt for rape and believes the charges are based on “catastrophic misjudgments” by the police, according to defender Øyvind Bratlien.
Two offended
– At the present time, I can only say that my client relates to the fact that the police must be allowed to carry out their investigation based on the prosecution’s expansion of charges to also apply to rape of my client, says Vehusheia.
She cannot answer questions about the relationship in the charge, the relationship with Høiby or how her client views the case.
The case concerning the second victim, a woman in her 20s, was also opened by the police following findings in the investigation. She did not know Høiby before the date when the relationship took place, according to assistance lawyer Hege Salomon.
– She is having a hard time, is in a very tough and pressured situation. On top of it all, she is also very afraid that who she is will come out. It is an additional burden, she told NTB on Wednesday.
Imprisoned for a week
The Oslo police district asked the district court to remand 27-year-old Høiby for two weeks during the detention meeting on Wednesday afternoon. The court concluded with one week’s detention with a letter and visiting ban. The ruling will not be appealed.
– Høiby was partially upheld, and all experience indicates that the court will not release at such an early stage of the investigation. One week was the most realistic thing to achieve now, writes Høiby’s defender, lawyer Øyvind Bratlien, in an SMS to NTB.
During the detention meeting on Wednesday, he spent a lot of time countering the police’s allegations of rape, but cannot explain to NTB what he is referring to when he expresses that the police’s presentation is highly misleading.
The prison meeting was held behind closed doors, there is a ban on reproduction from the prison order and the parties are not allowed to reproduce the contents of the documents.
Høiby denies guilt
In addition to two alleged rapes, Høiby is charged with three cases of violence in close relationships. He is also charged with damage, reckless behaviour, several breaches of a restraining order and driving without a licence.
He denies criminal guilt following the charges of rape, but has admitted violence and damage in one of the cases for which he is charged, and for threats in another.
Høiby was arrested late on Monday evening and has been in custody until the court’s decision on custody. In connection with the arrest, the police searched his home in Skaugum and made relevant seizures.
Among other things, the police are said to have found two videos on Høiby’s mobile phone which allegedly show the abuses he is accused of.
Agree with the police
The court agrees with the police that it is more likely that Høiby is guilty of the charges than that he is not, and that there is a risk that evidence may disappear or be destroyed if he is released, police prosecutor Kruszewski points out in an email.
Oslo Police District takes note that the court believes that imprisonment is proportionate, but that the risk of tampering with evidence should be resolved in a shorter time than requested.
– We refer to the court’s assessments and will use the time well, says Kruszewski.
Bratlien points out that since the imprisonment period is as short as one week, the Court of Appeal will not have time to decide on an appeal before the imprisonment period is almost up.
– Then there is little point in appealing, writes the lawyer.