The Norwegian ex-Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland may continue to be investigated.Image: keystone
Feb 11, 2026, 1:31 p.mFeb 11, 2026, 1:31 p.m
The Norwegian ex-Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland, who was suspected of corruption as a result of the Epstein scandal, can continue to be investigated.
At Norway’s request, the Council of Europe lifted Jagland’s immunity in relation to his term as secretary general of the human rights organization from 2009 to 2019.
Norway’s economic crime agency is investigating whether Jagland accepted gifts, trips and loans during his term as secretary general. According to the NTB news agency, this is suggested by information from the files surrounding the case of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Multiple contacts with Epstein
The documents are intended to show that Jagland had contact with the US businessman several times between 2016 and 2018. During this period, the Norwegian was both Secretary General of the Council of Europe and a member of the Norwegian Nobel Committee. He was its chairman from 2009 to 2015.
As former Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Jagland previously had immunity, meaning he could not be prosecuted. Jagland’s lawyer told the NTB that his client expected his immunity to be lifted. Jagland has already sent documents to the responsible investigative authority and wants to support them “in further clarification of the facts”. (sda/dpa)