Former Prime Minister of Norway (1996-1997), Chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Peace Prize Committee (2009-2015), and Secretary General of the Council of Europe (2009-2019). The 2026 DOJ file releases revealed years of contact between Jagland and Epstein. Documents show he stayed with Epstein in New York in 2018 and at Epstein's Paris apartment in 2015 and 2018.
Emails indicate Jagland made plans to visit Epstein's island with his family in 2014 while chairing the Nobel Committee. He also asked Epstein for financial help purchasing an apartment. Norway opened an aggravated corruption investigation into Jagland in February 2026.
Jagland told Aftenposten he showed ‘poor judgment.’ CRIMINAL CHARGES: On February 13, 2026, Norwegian police charged Jagland with aggravated corruption related to gifts, travel, and loans received from Jeffrey Epstein in connection with his official positions. He is the first former head of government to face criminal charges directly related to the Epstein case. Police searched his properties on February 12 after the Council of Europe waived his immunity.
Jagland was hospitalized on February 24 due to stress. Norwegian police searched Jagland's properties in February 2026 as part of a corruption probe by Okokrim, Norway's economic crimes authority. A 2018 Epstein email offered to arrange a discussion between Donald Trump and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov through Jagland, positioning Epstein as a backchannel between Norwegian, American, and Russian leadership.
Euronews and the Caspian Post reported on the property searches and the Moscow-facing communications arranged through Epstein.