Former Norwegian Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland has been charged with “gross corruption” in connection with his ties to convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Norwegian police have confirmed.
The charge follows the Council of Europe’s decision to lift Jagland’s diplomatic immunity, which he held during his tenure as secretary general of the Council from 2009 to 2019. Jagland denies any criminal wrongdoing and has stated his willingness to cooperate with authorities.
Emails released by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) reportedly indicate that Jagland planned both personal and family visits to Epstein’s homes in New York, Palm Beach, and Paris after Epstein’s conviction for child sex offences. According to Norwegian crime unit Økokrim, three of Jagland’s properties were searched, and he is expected to be formally questioned.
Jagland served as Norway’s prime minister from 1996 to 1997 and is also a former head of the Norwegian Nobel Committee. Økokrim launched its investigation earlier this month, focusing on alleged acts of gross corruption between 2011 and 2018. Documents suggest Epstein may have covered travel expenses for Jagland and his family, including a planned 2014 trip to Epstein’s private Caribbean island, which was canceled due to Epstein’s illness.
Additional allegations include claims that Jagland sought Epstein’s assistance in securing a bank loan, although it is unclear whether this transaction occurred, and authorities have not confirmed whether this forms part of the formal charge. The DOJ files do not in themselves indicate wrongdoing.
Jagland was seen leaving his Oslo residence with his lawyer on Thursday. The searches also included properties in Risør and Rauland, Økokrim confirmed.
The release of Epstein-related files last month has drawn multiple Norwegian public figures into scrutiny. Crown Princess Mette-Marit publicly apologized for her friendship with Epstein, which involved three years of messaging. Diplomats Mona Juul and Terje Rød-Larsen are under investigation for “aggravated corruption” after reports that each of Juul’s children was set to receive $5 million in a will allegedly signed by Epstein days before his death. Both have denied any wrongdoing.
The World Economic Forum (WEF) has ordered an independent review into Borge Brende, former Norwegian foreign minister, over his interactions with Epstein. Brende acknowledged dining with Epstein on three occasions in 2018 and 2019 and communicating via email and text but stated he was “completely unaware” of Epstein’s criminal history and welcomed the review.
