Norway’s ministers questioned in parliament over Epstein ties

Norway's parliament commenced hearings on Wednesday to investigate practices within the diplomatic service following revelations of Jeffrey Epstein's connections with senior Norwegian officials. These hearings stem from the foreign ministry's payment of over 130 million kroner to the International Peace Institute (IPI), a think tank led by Norwegian diplomat Terje Rod-Larsen from 2005 to 2020.

The Epstein files have uncovered ties between the US financier and Rod-Larsen and his wife Mona Juul, who are now under investigation in Norway for "aggravated corruption." Both deny any wrongdoing. Eleven current and former ministers, including Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, will testify before the Storting's standing committee on scrutiny and constitutional affairs.

The documents also reveal Epstein's ties with Thorbjorn Jagland, a former prime minister, foreign minister, and chair of the Nobel Peace Prize Committee, as well as former foreign minister Borge Brende. Jagland is currently under investigation for "aggravated corruption," but is not among the summoned officials due to his tenure before 2005.

Brende, who recently resigned as president of the World Economic Forum, is scheduled to testify on Wednesday. The hearings aim to address allegations of abuse of office, accountability failures, and poor management of development aid funds, stressing the importance of uncovering the truth, establishing accountability, and implementing necessary reforms.

The parliamentary hearings will not result in any sanctions, but an independent inquiry has been established to conduct a broader examination of the case, with its final report due by January 31, 2028.