Juliane Snekkestad Considering Appeal: "I'm Not Done With This Case"

It's been a few days since the prosecution dropped the case against Marius Borg Høiby, but for Juliane Snekkestad, it's far from over. Quite the contrary. The young woman, who came forward with her experiences, is now actively considering her next steps. "I'm not done with this case," she says.

It was last week that the Oslo district public prosecutor's office decided to drop the investigation against Høiby. The decision came as a surprise to many, and not least to Snekkestad herself. She has consistently wanted the case to be heard in court, and strongly objects to the prosecution now closing the matter.

She is now getting help from prominent lawyer John Christian Elden to review the possibilities for an appeal. "We're looking into whether there are grounds to appeal the dismissal, and we're also considering if a civil lawsuit could be an option," says Elden. He emphasizes they are taking the time to thoroughly review the documents before reaching a conclusion.

Reaction to Statements

In the wake of the case being dropped, several comments have been made that Snekkestad finds inappropriate. Some have, for instance, commented that the case "shouldn't have been in the media." That really strikes a nerve with her. "It's hurtful to hear people downplaying what I've been through. This is about more than just a headline," she says.

She feels many don't grasp the seriousness of it all, and that coming forward has been a huge burden. "I knew it would be tough, but I hadn't anticipated having to also defend myself against attacks afterwards," she adds.

Exploring Multiple Avenues

According to Snekkestad herself, she is determined to keep fighting. She wants to highlight what she sees as weaknesses in the investigation and the prosecution's assessment. Together with Elden, she is now looking at several options:

• Appeal to the Director of Public Prosecution: First and foremost, they are considering appealing the dismissal to the Director of Public Prosecution, hoping the case can be reopened.
• Civil Lawsuit for Damages: If the appeal is unsuccessful, filing a civil lawsuit to seek compensation for the alleged violations could be an option.
• Release of Documents: Snekkestad is also considering requesting access to all documents from the investigation to be able to counter claims that have been made publicly.

"I have nothing to hide, and I want people to see what this is really about. Getting the truth out there is important to me," she says firmly.

Support from Unexpected Quarters

While the criticism has been pouring in, Snekkestad has also received support from several sources. Several women's rights organizations and individuals have reached out to express their sympathy. "It warms my heart to know there are people who see me and believe me. It gives me strength to keep going," she says.

She says she is now trying to find a balance between fighting for her cause and taking care of her own well-being. "It's demanding, but I have good people around me. I know what I want, and I won't give up."

For Juliane Snekkestad, this is far from over. With Elden by her side and a clear plan for the way forward, she is now looking ahead. "I hope that through this, we can help others in similar situations feel brave enough to come forward too. It's worth the fight," she concludes.