Norwegian police on Thursday raided several residences linked to former Prime Minister Thorbjorn Jagland over alleged ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and suspected gross corruption, broadcaster NRK reported.
The National Authority for Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime (Okokrim) carried out the searches a day after the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers waived Jagland’s immunity. Norwegian authorities had requested the move to allow formal proceedings to advance.
“As an automatic consequence of the search, Jagland now has the formal status of a suspect,” his defense lawyer, Anders Brosveet, told NRK.
Jagland, who previously served as the secretary general of the Council of Europe and chaired the Norwegian Nobel Committee, now faces an investigation into aggravated corruption. Prosecutors have not announced charges but confirmed the probe is ongoing.
Contacts Detailed in Newly Released US Documents
The corruption suspicion follows the latest release of files related to Epstein by the US Justice Department. According to NRK, the documents reveal years of contact between Jagland and the financier, including reported offers of trips and luxury stays.
Last month, US authorities released more than 3 million pages, 2,000 videos and 180,000 images under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which became law in November. The disclosures have prompted renewed scrutiny of individuals who maintained connections with Epstein.
Epstein died in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. In 2008, he pleaded guilty to procuring a minor for prostitution, a conviction widely criticised as lenient.
Meanwhile, victims have alleged that Epstein operated an extensive sex trafficking network involving powerful figures. They have also criticised the latest document release, arguing that heavy redactions and omissions limit public accountability.
