Ex Norway PM Charged in Gross Corruption Case Tied to Epstein

Norway’s former prime minister Thorbjorn Jagland has been charged with gross corruption following an investigation into his relationship with convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, police said on Thursday.

The charge was brought after the Council of Europe revoked Jagland’s diplomatic immunity, which he held due to his role as secretary general of the organisation between 2009 and 2019. Jagland rejects the accusations and says he will cooperate with authorities, according to his lawyer.

Norway’s economic crime unit, Okokrim, confirmed that officers searched three properties linked to Jagland in Oslo, Risør and Rauland. Police said Jagland is expected to be questioned as part of the ongoing investigation.

• Thorbjørn Jagland charged after Epstein-linked probe
• Norway police investigate alleged benefits from Jeffrey Epstein
• Council of Europe lifts immunity amid corruption case

Prosecutors are examining allegations that Epstein paid travel and accommodation costs for Jagland and his family at properties in Paris, New York and Palm Beach after Epstein’s 2008 child sex offence conviction. Emails published in the so-called Epstein files by the US Department of Justice are cited as evidence of the arrangements. A planned family visit to Epstein’s private Caribbean island in 2014 was later cancelled.

Norwegian broadcaster NRK has also reported claims that Jagland asked Epstein for assistance in securing a bank loan. Police have not confirmed whether this allegation forms part of the corruption charge.

Being named in the Epstein files does not, by itself, indicate criminal conduct. However, the disclosures have drawn other prominent Norwegians into scrutiny, including Crown Princess Mette-Marit, diplomats Mona Juul and Terje Rod-Larsen, and World Economic Forum chief executive Borge Brende.

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Several related investigations are continuing as Norwegian authorities determine whether criminal offences were committed.