Norway Police Open Criminal Case Over Skaugum Break-In Involving Marius Borg Høiby

Oslo police have opened a criminal case after a man entered Marius Borg Høiby's home at Skaugum in the early hours of Friday and pushed him, according to TV 2. The case covers unlawful entry and assault, police prosecutor Erlend Bakke of the Oslo police told the broadcaster. No charge has been filed in the matter.

The man remains in custody with an electronic ankle tag. The decision to open a case marks a reversal: on Saturday evening, police said the man had neither been charged nor arrested, but had been removed from the property.

Why it matters

The case concerns the royal family's private residence, and the sequence of police decisions has drawn public attention. Police first removed the man without a charge, then confirmed a criminal case the following day. Bakke was unable to tell TV 2 why no charge was filed when the man was detained, and said police want to question both Høiby and the man who came to the property.

What police have said

Bakke's comments to TV 2 set out the current position: a case exists, but no charge has been brought. The man is being held in custody with an ankle tag rather than in a cell, as reported by TV 2.

The episode began overnight into Friday, when the man got into the home at Skaugum. NRK reported that he forced his way into the residence and pushed Høiby. TV 2 published photographs that it said showed the scene at Skaugum, including a man carrying a suitcase being taken by police.

Saturday's statement that the man had been escorted away without charge was later overtaken by the confirmation of a criminal case. Police have not publicly explained the change.

What to watch

Police have said they intend to interview Høiby and the man. Any charge, and the outcome of those interviews, would be the next development to watch.