Former Norwegian prime minister Thorbjorn Jagland is the subject of a police probe after newly released documents tied him to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Norway’s economic crime unit, Oekokrim, said investigators are examining whether Jagland may have committed aggravated corruption in connection with alleged benefits linked to Epstein.
Paal Loeseth, director of Oekokrim, said the agency found reasonable grounds to scrutinize Jagland’s conduct given his positions during the period covered by the documents — notably his time as chair of the Nobel Committee and as secretary general of the Council of Europe. The inquiry will consider whether Jagland received gifts, travel, loans or other advantages related to those roles.
Jagland’s lawyer, Anders Brosveet, said his client welcomed the investigation and would cooperate fully, calling an authoritative review preferable to press speculation. Police have asked that Jagland’s immunity be lifted so the probe can proceed. Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said Norway will propose to the Council of Europe that Jagland’s immunity be revoked, stressing the importance of establishing the facts.
Jagland, 75, served as Norway’s prime minister from 1996 to 1997, was secretary general of the Council of Europe from 2009 to 2019, and chaired the Nobel Committee that awards the Peace Prize from January 2009 to March 2015. Kristian Berg Harpviken, director of the Norwegian Nobel Institute, said the institute is awaiting Jagland’s explanation and warned that receiving substantial financial benefits from Epstein while serving on the Nobel Committee would violate its code of ethics.
The revelations come after a batch of documents released by the U.S. Justice Department that include messages between Jagland and Epstein. Those messages have caused public outrage in Norway. In one May 2012 message Jagland wrote: “I have been in Tirana (Albania) extraordinary girls.” In January 2013 he wrote: “I can’t keep it going only with young women as you know.” Jagland has acknowledged showing “poor judgment” by maintaining ties with Epstein.
The disclosures have prompted scrutiny of several other high-profile Norwegians. Crown Princess Mette-Marit has admitted exercising poor judgment for keeping contacts with Epstein after his conviction. Norway has suspended diplomat Mona Juul pending an investigation into alleged links, and the World Economic Forum said it will carry out an independent review of its CEO and former foreign minister Borge Brende over his dealings with Epstein.
Appearances in the documents do not in themselves prove criminality, but they have underscored connections between Epstein’s network and public figures who in some cases downplayed or denied those links. Oekokrim’s investigation will aim to determine whether any illegal exchange of benefits took place and whether official immunities should be lifted to allow full inquiry.