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Norwegian Corruption Probe Targets Former Prime Minister
Norwegian authorities have launched a major corruption investigation into former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland following revelations about his connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The investigation, led by Norway's Economic Crime Investigation Service (Økokrim), examines whether Jagland received gifts, travel, or loans during his tenure as Secretary General of the Council of Europe and chairman of the Nobel Committee.
Epstein Documents Trigger Investigation
The probe was triggered by the release of over 3 million pages of documents from the Jeffrey Epstein case, which were made public by the U.S. Department of Justice earlier this year. These documents revealed extensive communications between Jagland and Epstein's network, including emails showing Jagland planned a family vacation to Epstein's private island in 2014 and sought financial assistance from Epstein for a property purchase in Oslo.
'Our documents in this case are internal and confidential. We cannot therefore make them public,' the Council of Europe told Norwegian newspaper Verdens Gang.
Immunity Hurdle in Corruption Case
A significant obstacle in the investigation is Jagland's diplomatic immunity from his time as Secretary General of the Council of Europe from 2009 to 2019. Norwegian authorities have formally requested the Council of Europe to lift this immunity to allow criminal proceedings to move forward.
'We are of course ready to assist the Norwegian authorities,' the Council of Europe stated in their response to the immunity request.
The Nobel Committee, which Jagland chaired from 2009 to 2015, declined to comment directly but said through a spokesperson to Reuters: 'But the committee welcomes all facts in this case.'
Jagland's Response and Wider Implications
Jagland's lawyer has stated that the former prime minister welcomes the investigation and believes it will clear his name. 'Based on the information we have, we have confidence in the outcome,' the lawyer told Reuters.
Jagland himself has acknowledged that his contact with Epstein was unwise but maintains he never visited Epstein's private island or traveled on his private jet. He also denies any involvement in Epstein's private life or criminal activities.
The investigation is part of a broader scrutiny of Norwegian elites with Epstein connections. Crown Princess Mette-Marit has also come under fire after emails revealed she maintained contact with Epstein after his 2008 conviction for sexual abuse and borrowed a Florida property owned by Epstein in 2013.
According to U.S. News, the documents show Epstein served as a point of contact for visa applicants from multiple countries and sent over $125,000 to Poland, revealing the extensive international reach of his network.
Political Fallout in Norway
The investigation represents a significant development in Norway's political landscape, examining potential ethical breaches by one of the country's most prominent statesmen. Jagland served as Norway's prime minister from 1996 to 1997, foreign minister from 2000 to 2001, and held numerous other high-profile positions throughout his career.
The case comes at a sensitive time for Norway's monarchy and political establishment, with public trust in institutions already shaken by previous scandals involving high-profile figures.
