By Necva Tastan Sevinc
ISTANBUL (AA) - Alleged links between former Norwegian Prime Minister Thorbjorn Jagland and late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have prompted Norway’s Nobel Committee to initiate a review of its documentary archives and tighten transparency rules, media reports said Friday.
The move comes after Norway’s economic crime authority, Okokrim, launched an investigation into Jagland on suspicion of aggravated corruption following disclosures in US documents related to Epstein, the Norwegian news broadcaster NRK reported.
Jagland, who chaired the Norwegian Nobel Committee between 2009 and 2015, has denied any criminal wrongdoing and said he is cooperating with authorities.
The committee said it has decided to introduce a new practice requiring publication of current members’ positions, financial interests, gifts, travel and other services that may be relevant to their roles.
At the same time, it announced a review of its archives to assess how ethical questions were handled in the past, including in specific cases.
“If we find serious matters in that review, it will also be something the public will know about,” Nobel Institute Director Kristian Berg Harpviken told NRK.
But the committee said historical documents will not be publicly available due to the 50-year confidentiality rule governing its work.
The developments follow revelations linked to the archives of Epstein, who died in a New York City prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Epstein had cultivated relationships with high-profile political and business figures worldwide.
According to Norwegian media reports, Jagland’s residence and other properties were searched this week as part of the investigation. His lawyer has said Jagland has provided a detailed explanation to authorities and is confident he has committed no criminal offense.
Red Party MP Bjornar Moxnes called the justification “the world’s worst excuse,” arguing that Alfred Nobel’s will does not mention gift registers or financial disclosures.
“It should be completely unproblematic to disclose previous donations,” Moxnes said.
Per-Willy Amundsen of the Progress Party (Frp) echoed the criticism, saying “maximum transparency” would serve the committee’s credibility, particularly given the corruption allegations involving its former head.
If violations of the committee’s ethics rules are confirmed, there would be no direct consequences for Jagland, as he no longer holds a position within the body. Still, Harpviken emphasized that receiving gifts, travel or other services in breach of regulations would constitute a violation.