“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.
“Among other things, Okokrim will investigate whether gifts, travel and loans were received in connection with his position.”
‘Clarification’
Jagland’s lawyer, Anders Brosveet, told AFP that “we are calm about the outcome of the investigation”.
“It is good for Jagland to receive an authoritative clarification from Okokrim, rather than having the entire press corps conducting their own little private investigations,” he said.
Okokrim has asked the foreign ministry to lift the immunity Jagland enjoys as former Council of Europe chief.
Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said on Thursday that Norway would submit a proposal to the council to revoke Jagland’s immunity.
Norwegian newspaper VG reported this week that Jagland had extensive contact with Epstein, citing the latest documents released by the DoJ.
Jagland had asked Epstein for financial help to buy an apartment, it reported.
Jagland, 75, told VG he had obtained all his property loans from Norwegian bank DNB.
The released documents show that he had stayed with Epstein in New York in 2018, as well as in Epstein’s Paris apartment in 2015 and 2018.
‘Extraordinary girls’
The former leader had planned a family trip to Epstein’s island in 2014, which was ultimately cancelled.
Some of their reported exchanges have caused a stir in Norway.
“I have been in Tirana [Albania] with extraordinary girls,” Jagland wrote in an email to Epstein dated May 2012.
“I can’t keep it going only with young women as you know,” he said in January 2013.
On Sunday, Jagland told newspaper Aftenposten that he had shown “poor judgment” by maintaining ties with Epstein.
The Norwegian Nobel Institute said on Wednesday it was awaiting an explanation from Jagland over the reported links.
Other well-known Norwegians have also been implicated in the scandal.
On Monday, Norway suspended high-profile diplomat Mona Juul, pending an investigation into her alleged ties to Epstein.
The World Economic Forum said on Thursday it would conduct an independent review of its CEO, former Norwegian foreign minister Borge Brende, over his dealings with Epstein.
The newly released files also revealed details of a friendship between Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit and the financier.
Epstein was long alleged to have been a purveyor of sex with underage girls to some of the world’s most powerful men.
The mention of someone’s name in the files does not necessarily imply wrongdoing.
But the published documents show connections between Epstein or his circle and certain public figures who have often downplayed – or even denied – their existence.
-Agence France-Presse
