OSLO — Former Norwegian prime minister Thorbjørn Jagland, 75, was hospitalized last week amid intense pressure surrounding an ongoing corruption investigation tied to newly released Jeffrey Epstein files, his lawyer confirmed Tuesday. Reports that Jagland attempted suicide have been denied by his legal counsel, who said the hospitalization is related to stress over the case and media scrutiny.
Norwegian police and the country’s specialized economic crime unit, Økokrim, have charged Jagland with aggravated corruption after documents from the U.S. Department of Justice’s release of Epstein-related materials appeared to show longtime contact, travel and other interactions with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during periods when Jagland held influential positions, including as secretary general of the Council of Europe and chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee.
Authorities sought and obtained a waiver of Jagland’s diplomatic immunity from the Council of Europe earlier this month so they could pursue the investigation, and on Feb. 12, police searched several of his properties in Oslo, Risør, and Rauland as part of the inquiry. Prosecutors are examining whether Jagland received gifts, travel, or other benefits from Epstein in connection with his official roles.
Jagland has acknowledged showing “poor judgment” regarding his interactions with Epstein but has denied criminal liability and said he will cooperate with investigators through his legal representatives. His lawyer, Anders Brosveet, confirmed Jagland’s hospitalization but refuted media claims that he attempted to take his own life, calling such reports inaccurate and ethically improper to publish without confirmation.
The case is one of several high-profile European political figures ensnared by fallout from the broad release of documents tied to Epstein’s activities, which have sparked public debate and investigations into alleged corruption, improper associations, and ethical lapses among officials in Norway and elsewhere.
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