Police in eastern Norway have charged two people with operating a prostitution ring. Authorities believe the illegal activity continued for over a year.
Investigators received tips about online ads listing a hotel as the meeting location. This information led police to monitor the hotel's activities.
According to the charges, a woman in her 50s rented an apartment at an Upper Romerike hotel from July 2023 through August 2024. She allegedly allowed at least two female sex workers to use the apartment for their work.
Prosecutor Jonas Nielsen-Slydahl from the Eastern Police District said the woman approached women online. She offered them rental of the apartment for their activities.
The hotel owner also faces charges. Prosecutors claim he knew or should have known what was happening in the apartment he rented out.
Police will present evidence showing the hotel owner understood how the room was being used, Nielsen-Slydahl said in a statement.
The hotel owner maintains his complete innocence. He told reporters his business became involved in the situation through no fault of his own.
The woman's defense attorney could not be reached for comment.
The case is scheduled to go to trial in January next year.
This case highlights the ongoing challenge Norwegian authorities face in monitoring illegal activities within the hospitality industry. Hotel-based prostitution operations remain difficult to detect without public cooperation.