Norway’s former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland has been charged with “aggravated corruption” after a police probe into his alleged ties to the late intercourse offender Jeffrey Epstein, based on the legislation agency representing him.
Elden Law Firm confirmed to NCS on Thursday that Jagland is “charged with aggravated corruption,” including that he “denies all charges.”
Økokrim, Norway’s investigative company for financial and environmental crime, mentioned it can now query Jagland as a part of its ongoing investigation, Norwegian public broadcaster NRK reported Thursday.
It comes as Norway’s royal household battles scandals on multiple fronts, with charities this week transferring to chop or evaluation ties to the crown princess because of her previous contact with Epstein, who died in 2019.
Last week, Økokrim mentioned Jagland was below investigation “on suspicion of aggravated corruption” primarily based on data within the newest batch of Epstein paperwork launched by the US Justice Department.
Investigators mentioned they have been wanting into “whether gifts, travel and loans were received in connection with his position.” Jagland – who was prime minister from 1996 to 1997, in addition to serving as overseas minister and secretary-general of the Council of Europe – has denied any wrongdoing associated to Epstein.
Earlier Thursday, Jagland’s lawyer mentioned that searches carried out on the former prime minister’s “home and leisure properties” are “a normal part of an investigation of this type.”
“As an automatic consequence of the search, Jagland now has formal status as a suspect,” his lawyer Anders Brosveet mentioned in an announcement.
“Jagland wants to contribute to the case being thoroughly investigated, and the next step is that he will appear for questioning at Økokrim.”
NCS has reached out to Økokrim for additional remark.
The newly launched Epstein information additionally revealed in depth correspondence between Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Epstein – one thing the princess has since expressed remorse over – years after the financier pleaded responsible to soliciting intercourse from a minor.
Last week Norway’s royal home mentioned Mette-Marit “strongly disavows Epstein’s abuse and criminal acts” and is sorry for “not having understood early enough what kind of person he was.”
The controversy has sparked an open public dialogue in Norway about whether or not Mette-Marit ought to change into queen, specialists say.
It additionally raises uncomfortable questions on her place throughout the royal clan, notably given the superior age of King Harald V, who at 88 is Europe’s oldest monarch.
Harald’s bodily well being has deteriorated in recent years, requiring his son, the Crown Prince Haakon, to behave as regent every now and then.