Fact Check: "Investigation involved a double-digit number of alleged victims"
What We Know
Marius Borg Høiby, the eldest son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has been charged with multiple counts of rape, sexual assault, and bodily harm. The investigation, which has been ongoing for several months, has revealed that it involves a "double-digit" number of alleged victims. Oslo Police Attorney Andreas Kruszewski confirmed this detail during a news conference, stating, "I cannot go into further detail about the number of victims in the case beyond confirming that it is a double-digit number" (CBS News, CBC). The charges against Høiby include one case of rape involving intercourse, two cases of rape without intercourse, four cases of sexual assault, and two cases of bodily harm (CBS News, New York Post).
Analysis
The claim that the investigation involved a double-digit number of alleged victims is substantiated by multiple reliable sources. Both CBS News and CBC reported on the charges against Høiby, specifically highlighting the confirmation from police regarding the number of alleged victims (CBS News, CBC). The credibility of these sources is high, as they are established news organizations known for their journalistic integrity.
Additionally, the context provided by these reports indicates that the investigation is serious and extensive, involving various forms of evidence such as text messages and witness testimonies (CBS News, New York Post). The police's acknowledgment of the number of victims adds weight to the claim, as it comes from an official source directly involved in the case.
While Høiby's defense attorney stated that his client takes the accusations seriously but does not acknowledge wrongdoing in most cases, this does not contradict the confirmed number of alleged victims (CBS News, CBC). The presumption of innocence until proven guilty is a legal principle that applies here, but it does not negate the factual basis of the investigation's scope.
Conclusion
The claim that the investigation involved a double-digit number of alleged victims is True. This is supported by multiple credible news sources that report on the ongoing legal proceedings against Marius Borg Høiby, confirming the police's statement regarding the number of victims involved in the case.