Police in Norway have launched a corruption investigation into former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland over alleged ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
A special police unit reviewing newly released Epstein files in the US said the 75-year-old is suspected of “aggravated corruption.” Authorities have already asked the foreign ministry to lift Jagland’s immunity, which he holds due to his previous role as a senior foreign diplomat.
Jagland is also a former head of the Norwegian Nobel Committee and previously spent 10 years as secretary general of the Council of Europe. His lawyer has said he will fully co-operate with the investigation.
Pål K. Lønseth, the head of Økokrim Norway’s economic crime unit said: “We consider there are reasonable grounds for investigation, given that he held the positions of chair of the Nobel Committee and Secretary General of the Council of Europe during the period covered by the released documents. Among other things, Økokrim will investigate whether gifts, travel and loans were received in connection with his position.”
Police added that more details will be provided later.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said it was “important that the facts of this case are brought to light,” adding that the government will ask the Council of Europe to revoke Jagland’s immunity.
Jagland’s lawyer, Anders Brosveet, welcomed the investigation. “Based on what we have found so far, we are confident of the outcome,” he told Reuters. He also told Norway’s VG news site that he and his client will submit “the key findings and documentation” to Økokrim as soon as possible.
Jagland served as Norway’s prime minister from 1996 to 1997, and as secretary general of the Council of Europe from 2009 to 2019. He chaired the Norwegian Nobel Committee from 2009 to 2015.
