Full Breakdown
Norway’s Parliament Launches Probe into Officials’ Ties to Jeffrey Epstein
By Drooid · · How we work
Parliamentary Hearings Begin
On September 30, Norway’s Storting opened public hearings on alleged connections between the late U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and a group of current and former senior officials. Eleven individuals—including Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere, former foreign ministers and development ministers—were summoned before the Committee on Scrutiny and Constitutional Affairs. The hearings are part of a broader parliamentary investigation triggered after the U.S. Department of Justice released millions of Epstein-related documents in January.
Background and Funding Links
The inquiry focuses on more than 130 million kroner (about $13 million) allocated by the Foreign Ministry to the International Peace Institute between 1997 and 2018. The think-tank, affiliated with the United Nations, was led from 2005 to 2020 by diplomat Terje Rod-Larsen, who is named in the released files for personal loans and alleged visa-fraud assistance for women trafficked for sex. Rod-Larsen’s children also inherited millions from Epstein’s estate. Norwegian media investigations have linked the grants and personal financial ties to the broader network of Epstein’s contacts.
Official Statements & Responses
- Jonas Andersen Sayed, chair of the hearing, warned that “there are many people who have demonstrated very poor judgement,” emphasizing the need to restore public trust.
- Boerge Brende, former foreign minister, said he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal history before meeting him in 2018 and expressed regret for not investigating more thoroughly.
- Erik Solheim, former development minister, argued that the probe is an overreaction that could “throttle the foreign service” by prompting unnecessary self-restraint among diplomats.
Future Inquiries and Timeline
The commission is slated to deliver its findings in early 2028. Additionally, an independent inquiry tasked with a broader review must submit its final report by January 31, 2028. These parallel investigations aim to improve the integrity and transparency of Norwegian authorities.