Norwegian prosecutors investigate former prime minister over corruption allegations

By Melike Pala

BRUSSELS (AA) - Norway's National Authority for Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime (Okokrim) launched an investigation Thursday into Thorbjorn Jagland, a former prime minister and ex-chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, on suspicion of aggravated corruption.

Okokrim said the probe follows the release of millions of documents linked to the late US financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which allegedly reveal possible benefit transfers to Jagland during his time in senior international positions.

"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," Okokrim Director Pal K. Lonseth said in a statement.

Jagland served as secretary general of the Council of Europe from 2009 to 2019 and as chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee between 2009 and 2015.

According to Okokrim, investigators will examine whether Jagland received gifts, travel benefits or loans in connection with his official roles during the period covered by the newly released documents.

As a former head of an international organization, Jagland holds immunity from prosecution for actions taken in his official capacity. Okokrim has therefore requested that Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs initiate a process to have his immunity lifted by the Council of Europe.

Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide confirmed that Norway will submit a proposal to the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers to waive Jagland’s immunity.

"In Norway, there is equality before the law. And it cannot be the case that anyone is above the rules that exist," Eide told public broadcaster NRK.

The Nobel Institute is also reviewing whether Jagland received financial benefits that may have breached its ethical rules.

The US Justice Department recently released more than 3 million pages, 2,000 videos and 180,000 images related to Epstein under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The materials include photographs, grand jury transcripts and investigative records, though many pages remain heavily redacted to protect victims.

Epstein was found dead by suicide in a New York City jail on Aug. 10, 2019 while awaiting trial on federal charges of operating a sex trafficking network involving underage girls and women. He was being held at the Metropolitan Correctional Center at the time of his death.