Former Prime Minister Jagland charged with links to pedophile

The director of the economic crimes unit of the Prosecutor’s Office, Pål K. Lønseth, confirmed the indictment after the committee of ministers of the Council of Europe, an institution that Jagland chaired between 2009 and 2019, suspended his immunity the day before at the request of the Norwegian authorities.

“Following a court order, Økokrim has registered the home today of Thorbjørn Jagland in Oslo and also two other properties,” he told the agency NTB Lønseth, who added that the 75-year-old Norwegian politician will be questioned in the coming days.

Last week, the Norwegian Prosecutor’s Office opened an investigation against Jagland for alleged corruption linked to his contacts with Epstein between 2016 and 2018, a period in which they debated a possible joint real estate investment and a trip to the millionaire’s island, which ultimately did not take place.

Jagland was Norwegian Prime Minister (1996-97) and Foreign Minister (2000-01), as well as heading the Nobel Peace Committee between 2009 and 2015. “I only have one thing to say: I am happy that the case is clarified“he told the newspaper this Thursday Aftenposten.

Controversy in Norway

Media revelations related to documents published by US authorities in the criminal case against Epstein that have been spread since November 2025 have splashed on various political figures from Norway.

The Prosecutor’s Office has also charged the former Norwegian ambassador to Iraq and Jordan with aggravated corruption, Mona Juuland, for collaboration in that alleged crime, her husband, also a diplomat Terje Rød-Larsen.

The former Norwegian Foreign Minister, Børge Brendeis being investigated by the World Economic Forum, an institution he has chaired since 2017; and the princess Mette-Marit -wife of Crown Prince Haakon- has publicly apologized and promised to provide further explanations about her ties to Epstein.

The Norwegian Parliament (Storting) agreed two days ago to create a independent commission to investigate links of Epstein with Norwegian politicians, although issues such as his mandate, who will lead it and what period of time should be investigated remain to be determined.

Several Norwegian political parties – including the Progress Party, the main opposition force – have been in favor of the commission questioning all foreign ministers in the last twenty years, which would include the current Labor prime minister. Jonas Gahr Størewho held that position between 2005 and 2012.