Arya News - Norway’s former prime minister is being investigated by police over his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
Norway’s former prime minister is being investigated by police over his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein .
Thorbjørn Jagland, 75, faces an “aggravated corruption” investigation after his name appeared in the newly released files related to the financier.
In the files, Epstein claimed Mr Jagland would be on his private island “for the entire next week” and the former prime minister even tried to take his family on holiday there.
In another email, he mentions “extraordinary girls” in Albania and appears to facilitate a meeting between Epstein and Vladimir Putin.
Mr Jagland was prime minister of Norway from 1996 to 1997 and secretary general of the Council of Europe from 2009 to 2019.
Between January 2009 and March 2015, he also chaired the committee that selects the Nobel Peace Prize winner, handing the prize to Barack Obama.
Suspicion of corruption
Espen Barth Eide, Norway’s foreign minister, said he would ask that Mr Jagland’s immunity as a former head of an international organisation be lifted to facilitate the investigation.
The police “have opened an investigation into... Thorbjørn Jagland, on suspicion of aggravated corruption”, said Økokrim, Norwegian police’s economic crime unit, in a statement.
“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,” said Pål K. Lønseth, Økokrim director.
“Among other things, Økokrim will investigate whether gifts, travel and loans were received in connection with his position,” the statement added.
Mr Barth Eide said on Thursday: “It is important that the facts of this case are brought to light. That means Mr Jagland’s immunity cannot stand in the way of an investigation.
“I have therefore decided that Norway will put forward a proposal to the Council of Europe’s committee of ministers that Jagland’s immunity be revoked.”
Norwegian newspaper VG reported this week that Jagland had extensive contact with Epstein, citing the latest batch of documents about the late financier released last Friday by the US department of justice.
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