OSLO — Police in Norway have opened an investigation into the country’s former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland over his alleged links to Jeffrey Epstein.The decision to investigate Jagland on suspicion of aggravated corruption was based on information revealed by newly released files related to the late US sex offender, according to Norway’s economic crime police unit, Oekokrim.”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,” Oekokrom director Paal Loeseth said in a statement.Jagland has not been charged with any crime and the investigation will among other things cover whether gifts, travel and loans were received in connection with his position.The police also asked that the immunity Jagland has due to his position as a former head of an international organization be lifted, a request acquiesced to by the Foreign Ministry.A special Norwegian police unit which is analysing newly released Epstein files in the US said the 75-year-old was suspected of “aggravated corruption”.Police said they had already asked the country’s foreign ministry to lift his immunity, which he enjoys because of his past role as a senior foreign diplomat.Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said it was “important that the facts of this case are brought to light”.He added that Oslo would ask the Council of Europe for Jagland’s immunity to be revoked.Jagland’s lawyer Anders Brosveet said they would fully co-operate with the investigation.”Based on what we have found so far, we are confident of the outcome,” he told Reuters news agency.Separately, Brosveet told Norway’s VG news site that he and his client would submit “the key findings and documentation we have to Økokrim as soon as practically possible”.Jagland was Norway’s prime minister in 1996-97, and the secretary general of the Council of Europe in 2009-19. He chaired the Norwegian Nobel Committee in 2009-15. — Agencies
Keep Up to Date with our Weekly Newsletter
