Police in Norway have opened a corruption investigation into the country's former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland over his alleged links to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. A special Norwegian police unit that is scrutinizing newly released Epstein files in the US suspects the 75-year-old of 'aggravated corruption'. They have requested the foreign ministry to lift Jagland's immunity, which is a privilege granted to him because of his previous role as a senior foreign diplomat.
Jagland previously served as head of the Norwegian Nobel Committee and spent a decade as secretary general of the Council of Europe. His lawyer indicated a commitment to fully cooperate with the investigation.
Pål K. Lønseth, the head of Norway's economic crime unit (Økokrim) investigating the case, noted there were reasonable grounds to probe Jagland, given his prestigious positions during the period covered by the released Epstein documents. They aim to determine if he received gifts, travel, and loans connected to his official capacities.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide emphasized the importance of uncovering the facts of the case and announced intentions to ask the Council of Europe for Jagland's immunity to be revoked. Jagland's lawyer welcomed the inquiry and expressed confidence in achieving a favorable outcome, promising to submit relevant documents to Økokrim as soon as possible.
The police mentioned that further details regarding the investigation will be disclosed at a later date. Jagland served as Norway's prime minister from 1996 to 1997 and was involved with the Council of Europe from 2009 to 2019.
Jagland previously served as head of the Norwegian Nobel Committee and spent a decade as secretary general of the Council of Europe. His lawyer indicated a commitment to fully cooperate with the investigation.
Pål K. Lønseth, the head of Norway's economic crime unit (Økokrim) investigating the case, noted there were reasonable grounds to probe Jagland, given his prestigious positions during the period covered by the released Epstein documents. They aim to determine if he received gifts, travel, and loans connected to his official capacities.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide emphasized the importance of uncovering the facts of the case and announced intentions to ask the Council of Europe for Jagland's immunity to be revoked. Jagland's lawyer welcomed the inquiry and expressed confidence in achieving a favorable outcome, promising to submit relevant documents to Økokrim as soon as possible.
The police mentioned that further details regarding the investigation will be disclosed at a later date. Jagland served as Norway's prime minister from 1996 to 1997 and was involved with the Council of Europe from 2009 to 2019.
