The Norwegian Economic Crimes Unit (Oekokrim) has opened an investigation against former prime minister and Nobel Committee chairman Thorbjoern Jagland. As the authority announced late on Thursday evening, there is suspicion of serious corruption in connection with the late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. “We believe that there are sufficient grounds for an investigation since he was chairman of the Nobel Committee and Secretary General of the Council of Europe during the period covered by the published documents,” Oekokrim director Paal Loeseth said. The basis for the step is information from newly published files on the case.
No charges have yet been brought against Jagland. The investigators are checking, among other things, whether he accepted gifts, trips or loans in his role. To enable the investigation, the police requested that Jagland’s immunity, which he enjoys as a former head of an international organization, be lifted. Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide announced that he would comply with this wish. It is important that the facts in this case come to light, he said. Norway will propose to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to lift the immunity.
A lawyer for Jagland welcomed the investigation. His client will cooperate fully. “Based on what we have found so far, we are confident about the outcome,” said lawyer Anders Brosveet. A spokesman for the Norwegian Nobel Committee declined to comment, but also emphasized the interest in clarification. Jagland is not the only celebrity in Norway whose ties to Epstein are under renewed scrutiny. Crown Princess Mette-Marit is also criticized for this. She admitted that she had maintained contact with Epstein even after his conviction, which she described as a misjudgment.
The USA has increased its humanitarian aid to Cuba and at the same time increased pressure on oil suppliers. The State Department in Washington announced an additional six million dollars in support for the Caribbean state on Thursday (local time). U.S. Relief Commissioner Jeremy Lewin said at a news conference that this would bring U.S. aid to the Cuban population to $9 million since Hurricane Melissa struck in October. The goods are to be distributed through the Catholic Church.
