A court in Norway has sentenced former doctor Arne Bye to 21 years in prison after he was found guilty of raping and sexually abusing numerous patients, a scandal that has sent shockwaves through the nation. Bye, who worked as a general practitioner in Frosta, a small town near Trondheim, was convicted on an extensive list of charges, including 70 counts of rape and sexual assault, as well as 82 counts for the abuse of his medical position.
The revelations came to light following an investigation that began in August 2022. Throughout nearly two decades, up to 94 women have accused Bye of misconduct during medical exams. Judge Espen Haug characterized the case as "very serious" and condemned Bye's actions—conduct described as "absolutely unacceptable" that eroded public trust in healthcare.
During the sentencing at the Trondheim courthouse, Bye remained calm as the maximum sentence was delivered, while details about his reprehensible methods were discussed over the course of a lengthy trial. Findings included non-consensual touching and indistinct pelvic examinations, both classified as rape under Norwegian legislation, which differentiates between penetrative and non-penetrative offenses. Disturbingly, it was discovered that Bye utilized non-medical items, such as a deodorant, during these examinations.
The investigation escalated after health authorities alerted law enforcement, resulting in the examination of hundreds of hours of secretly recorded footage from a camera Bye had installed in his office. More than a dozen victims, ranging from ages 14 to 67, stepped forward to share their harrowing experiences, the oldest date back to 2004 and the most recent to 2022.
While Bye's defense team argued for a reduced sentence due to his admission of guilt concerning 21 of the victims, prosecutors expressed satisfaction with the court's decision. They are currently contemplating follow-up actions, while Bye's legal representatives plan to review the verdict before deciding on a potential appeal.
