Oslo, Nov 7. (dpa/GNA) – A man has been detained, following an incident at the home of Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Queen Mette-Marit, the Norwegian news agency NTB reported, citing the domestic intelligence service PTS, which is responsible for the personal security of the royal family.
The man is alleged to have broken into Høiby’s flat on the grounds of the royal residence Skaugum near Oslo, and pushed Queen Mette-Marit’s son, as reported by the magazine Se og Hør (See and Hear).
The incident is said to have taken place in the early hours of Friday. According to the reports, the royal couple, King Haakon VIII and Mette-Marit were in the main house at the Skaugum royal estate, just a few hundred metres away.
The incident is likely to raise questions about the royal family’s security, the magazine wrote.
Citing an unnamed source, the magazine further reported that the man kicked and banged on the door to Høiby’s flat. The 29-year-old, who is currently under house arrest with an electronic tag, was listening to music and painting at the time. Unaware of what was happening, he opened the door to investigate the noise.
The man then forced his way in. However, Høiby managed to force the man out of the flat himself. He then alerted the police, who arrested the intruder shortly afterwards. He has since been released, however. No details were initially given regarding the circumstances of the incident.
“Høiby found it unpleasant and frightening to be visited in his own home, where he should actually be able to feel safe,” his lawyer, Alexander Greaker, told NTB. “He is now doing well, and he is grateful that the police arrived quickly and helped him,” he added.
Mette-Marit’s son has been in pre-trial detention since February, but he has been allowed to serve this under house arrest with an electronic tag since mid-July.
An attempt to end his pre-trial detention recently failed on appeal.
Høiby was sentenced to four years in prison for numerous offences, including two counts of rape under Norwegian law.
He has appealed against the verdict, and an appeal hearing is due to begin in February.
GNA