In Norway, searches conducted at former Council of Europe secretary general's home in connection with Epstein case
On 12 February, Økokrim, the Norwegian police unit responsible for combating economic crime, conducted searches at the home and country properties of former Norwegian Prime Minister and former Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjørn Jagland. This was reported by the newspaper Verdens Gang, citing his lawyer from the law firm Elden Advokatfirma, according to DW.
The investigations are taking place in Oslo and on the east coast of Norway as part of an investigation launched after the publication of documents in the case of convicted American financier Jeffrey Epstein. Jagland has been officially named as a suspect in a corruption case with aggravating circumstances.
On 11 February, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe decided to lift Jagland's immunity. Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Bersche transferred the internal administrative investigation to the Internal Oversight Directorate and initiated a comprehensive review of institutional management practices.
According to Verdens Gang, which studied the case materials, Jagland received a guarantee from Epstein to purchase an apartment. He also stayed several times in the financier's apartments in New York and Paris. In 2014, Jagland and his family planned a trip to Epstein's island, but the trip was canceled.
Jagland himself had previously stated that his contacts with Epstein were part of normal diplomatic activity. In early February, in an interview with the Aftenposten newspaper, he admitted that maintaining such relations was a mistake.
Torbjørn Jagland headed the Norwegian government from 1996 to 1997. From 2009 to 2015, he was chairman of the Nobel Peace Prize Committee, and from 2009 to 2019, he served as Secretary General of the Council of Europe.
