NORWAY EX-PM INVESTIGATED OVER CORRUPTION LEADS IN EPSTEIN FILES

STOCKHOLM, Feb 6 (Bernama-dpa) -- Norway's ex-prime minister and former secretary general of the Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland, is under investigation following the latest publications in the case of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, German Press Agency (dpa) reported.

The Norwegian is suspected of serious corruption, the NTB news agency reported late on Thursday evening.

"We believe that there are sufficient grounds for an investigation," said the head of the Norwegian economic crime authority, Pål K Lønseth.

The investigation is intended to clarify whether Jagland accepted gifts, trips, and loans during his term of office as Secretary General. NTB reported that information from the Epstein files implied that he had done so.

The documents are said to show that Jagland had contact with the United States (US) businessman on several occasions between 2016 and 2018, during which time the Norwegian was both secretary general of the Council of Europe and a member of the Norwegian Nobel Committee. He was chairman of the committee from 2009 to 2015.

Norwegian media reported that Epstein and Jagland are said to have discussed property purchases. Jagland had also planned a holiday with his family on Epstein's island, but this never materialised.

As former Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Jagland enjoys immunity from prosecution.

"It is important that this case is cleared up," said Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, according to NTB. "That is why I have decided that Norway will submit a proposal to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to lift Jagland's immunity."

The latest Epstein revelations have put several other Norwegians besides Jagland in the limelight. Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit, for example, has been under great pressure since the latest release of documents a week ago. She is said to have exchanged private emails with the convicted sex offender for several years.

-- BERNAMA-dpa