Norwegian princess’ husband accused of sexual assault

A Swedish man has reported Princess Märtha Louise’s husband, shaman Durek Verrett, to the police for sexual abuse.

– I asked him to stop but he didn’t give in, the man says.

The incident allegedly took place during one of the shaman’s “treatment sessions” in the 2010s. The complainant says he chose to take the matter to court in the hope that “others who have been sexually abused will also dare to come forward, regardless of who the perpetrator is”, according to the Norwegian magazine Se & Hør.

– He seemed absolutely determined to persuade me to have sex, the Swede continues.

Verrett’s spokesperson claims the allegations are false and has reported the Norwegian newspaper to the police and to the Norwegian Board of Media Ethics.

“Since his work involves various healing methods, including touch, Durek has a legal document in place that must be signed by everyone who uses his services, to protect themselves against people with evil intentions”, it states, further claiming that the complainant is one of the shaman’s former employees who was fired and therefore wants revenge.

Deeply unpopular couple

Durek Verrett, who has been widely described as a sun-and-weather man and charlatan, married Märtha Louise earlier this year – something the Norwegian people viewed with great disapproval, and according to surveys conducted shortly after the wedding, almost seven out of ten Norwegians want Märtha Louise to be stripped of her princess title.

Many believe that Verrett, who has claimed that children get cancer because they “want” it and that spirits cause sexually transmitted diseases, is not a suitable husband for a Norwegian princess. The couple has also been heavily criticized for using their connection to the royal family to make money, promote commercial products and gain media attention.