Norwegian police have charged former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland with gross corruption, following an investigation into his ties with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, the BBC reported Friday.
The charges stem from allegations that Jagland leveraged his position to provide benefits to Epstein, in exchange for gifts and potential influence. Fresh emails revealed Jagland promised influence while Epstein offered gifts, revelations that have prompted widespread shock in Norway, according to reporting from Facebook.
Norwegian authorities initiated searches of Jagland’s properties earlier this month as part of the investigation, Al Jazeera reported. The investigation was prompted by reports detailing a mutually beneficial relationship between Jagland and Epstein, as reported by The New York Times and The Washington Post.
Jagland, who served as Prime Minister of Norway on multiple occasions and also led the Nobel Committee, is accused of failing to disclose the full extent of his interactions with Epstein. The investigation is also examining the roles of two other senior Norwegian diplomats in connection with Epstein, according to The Guardian.
Current Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has stated that the links between prominent Norwegians and Epstein will be fully investigated, Reuters reported. The investigation remains ongoing, and Jagland has not yet publicly commented on the charges.
