Juliane Snekkestad Considering an 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. On 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 public prosecutors' 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 tried in court, and strongly reacts to the prosecution now putting an end to it.

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

Reacting to Statements

In the wake of the case being dropped, several statements have emerged that Snekkestad finds inappropriate. Among other things, some have commented that the case "shouldn't have been in the media." That really gets under her skin. "It's hurtful to hear people trivialize what I've been through. This is about something more than just a headline," she says.

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

Weighing Several Options

According to Snekkestad herself, she is determined to keep fighting. She wants to highlight what she believes are weaknesses in the investigation and the prosecution's assessment. Together with Elden, she is now looking into several avenues:

• Appeal to the Director of Public Prosecutions: First and foremost, they are considering appealing the dismissal to the Director of Public Prosecutions, hoping the case can be reopened.
• Civil Lawsuit for Damages: If the appeal doesn't succeed, filing a civil lawsuit to seek compensation for the alleged violations could be an option.
• Disclosure 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. It's important for me to bring out the truth," she states firmly.

Support from an Unexpected Quarter

While criticism has been pouring in, Snekkestad has also received support from several directions. 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 in me. It gives me the strength to stand in this," she says.

She tells that she is now trying to find a balance between fighting for her cause and taking care of her own health. "It's demanding, but I have good people around me. I know what I want, and I'm not giving 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 to dare to come forward too. It's worth the fight," she concludes.