The Council of Europe has consented to remove diplomatic immunity from its former Norwegian secretary general, clearing the way for a police investigation into his alleged connections with Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted U.S. sex offender who died in prison in 2019.
Norway’s white-collar crimes police have launched a probe into Thorbjoern Jagland on suspicion of aggravated corruption. Jagland, who served as Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Norway and as chair of the Nobel Peace Prize committee, was Secretary General of the Council of Europe from 2009 to 2019. The case against him stems from material contained in a cache of newly released files linked to Epstein.
Jagland’s lawyer, Anders Brosveet, said the decision by the Council to remove immunity was expected and that Jagland will cooperate with the investigation to clarify all matters. "He takes this matter very seriously, but wishes to emphasize that he believes there are no circumstances that constitute criminal liability," Brosveet said in a statement.
Norwegian authorities signalled that lifting immunity was a necessary procedural step for law enforcement. In order to permit a police inquiry, Norway’s foreign ministry requested that the Committee of Ministers - the Council of Europe body made up of representatives of its 46 member states - remove Jagland’s diplomatic protection.
Scope of the investigation
Jagland has not been charged with an offence. Police officials said the investigation will examine whether gifts, travel and loans were received in connection with his role as an elected official. In a February 8 letter to the Council, Norwegian police wrote: "Jagland as elected Secretary General of the Council of Europe would have violated the special trust attached to his position, if he received bribes."
The release of the new files in the United States has uncovered numerous dealings between Epstein and figures across Europe and the United States. Among the material are records indicating that in 2014 detailed plans were made for a visit by Jagland, his wife, two children and his son’s girlfriend to Epstein at properties in Palm Beach and on the Caribbean island he owned. Jagland has denied ever visiting Epstein’s private island.
Documents also show a 2014 email in which Jagland sought Epstein’s assistance in financing an apartment in Oslo. Other communications from 2018 include messages in which Epstein asked Jagland to arrange a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and suggested he had information to offer President Vladimir Putin; Jagland said he would raise the request with Lavrov’s assistant.
Related inquiries and political response
Norwegian police said they are also investigating two other high-profile diplomats in a separate corruption probe tied to Epstein. The country’s crown princess has repeatedly apologised over her friendship with the disgraced financier.
In response to the emerging revelations, Norway’s parliamentary oversight committee voted unanimously to commission an external inquiry into the foreign ministry’s links to Epstein. The committee’s decision signals heightened political scrutiny of possible institutional ties.
At this stage, authorities have framed the developments as an unfolding investigation: procedures for removing immunity have been followed, and investigators will seek to determine whether any official misconduct occurred. There has been no criminal charge brought against Jagland to date, and officials have said the probe will aim to clarify whether benefits tied to his office were accepted.