She is preparing to launch into possible relations of her former foreign minister Thorbjørn Jagland with , at a time when many European countries are facing the consequences of the scandal that has brought to the surface contacts of the sex offender with politicians, members of royal houses and executives of the extreme right.
After the publication of the latest set of files by the US Department of Justice, Norway, the seat of the Nobel Peace Committee and a pillar of international diplomacy, was in the spotlight.
Public figures such as Crown Princess Mette-Marit and former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Thorbjørn Jagland have been exposed and are under investigation. The same goes for former foreign minister and current head of the World Economic Forum Berge Brende, Mona Yule, ambassador to Jordan and Iraq, and her husband Terge Red-Larsen.
Thorbjørn Jagland has served as chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Peace Committee, while Mona Jull and Terge Red-Larsen helped set up the secret communication channel between the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Israeli government that led to the Oslo Accords (1993-1995).
It was common knowledge that they had relations with Jeffrey Epstein, but the new files added more details.
Most political parties in the Norwegian parliament appear ready to support an independent investigation into the foreign ministry, according to Norwegian media.
Distinctive corruption
The financial crime unit of the Norwegian police announced yesterday that it is investigating Thorbjørn Jagland as a suspect in high-profile corruption. His lawyer said that his client is confident that he will plead his innocence and that he is going to cooperate.
The Norwegian Foreign Ministry announced that it will request the lifting of the diplomatic immunity that Jagland enjoyed as the former head of the Council of Europe (2009-2019). The Council of Europe did not respond to a request for comment.
Mona Yule and Terge Red-Larsen did not respond to questions put to their lawyer and the Foreign Ministry either. Mona Yule has been suspended pending an internal investigation into the case.
Brende said he was unaware of Epstein’s background and criminal activities prior to their first meeting in 2018, and that he regrets not doing a more detailed investigation into him.
Recently released files show extensive correspondence between Epstein and Princess Mette-Marit, even after he was convicted of sex crimes in 2008.
