Thorbjørn Jagland, who previously served as prime minister of Norway, has been charged with aggravated corruption following a police investigation regarding his alleged connections to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, his attorneys have revealed.
Elden Law Firm confirmed that Jagland has been officially charged but emphasized that he rejects all claims against him.
The Norwegian agency responsible for investigating economic and environmental crimes, Økokrim, announced that it is set to interrogate Jagland as part of its ongoing inquiry. Pål Lønseth, the agency’s director, mentioned that searches were carried out at Jagland’s residence in Oslo and two other locations. He refrained from disclosing whether any materials had been confiscated, stating that the investigation is still in progress.
This latest development follows the release of new documents from the US Justice Department concerning Epstein. Last week, Økokrim indicated that Jagland was being investigated for aggravated corruption, based on information included in the newly released files. The investigators are looking into whether he received gifts, travel perks, or loans in relation to his previous public office roles.
Jagland held the position of Norway’s prime minister from 1996 to 1997 and has also been foreign minister and secretary-general of the Council of Europe. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing involving Epstein.
Jagland’s attorney, Anders Brosveet, described the searches of Jagland’s residence and leisure properties as standard procedure in cases of this nature. He indicated that the search has resulted in Jagland now having the formal status of a suspect. Brosveet added that his client is fully committed to cooperating with the investigators and will be available for questioning at Økokrim.
This controversy has also sparked heightened scrutiny of Norway’s royal family. Recent documents revealed previous correspondence between Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Epstein, igniting public discourse. The royal household has stated that the crown princess expresses regret over the interaction and “firmly disavows” Epstein’s offenses.
Currently, the situation unfolds during a delicate period for the monarchy, as 88-year-old Harald V, the oldest reigning monarch in Europe, has faced ongoing health issues, leading to Crown Prince Haakon occasionally stepping in as regent.
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