The Council of Europe has stripped its former secretary general of immunity, allowing a Norwegian corruption investigation into his ties to Jeffrey Epstein to proceed.

STRASBOURG: The Council of Europe has lifted diplomatic immunity for its former secretary general Thorbjorn Jagland (pic). The move clears the way for a Norwegian police investigation into “aggravated corruption” linked to his ties with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The decision was announced by the Council’s current secretary general, Alain Berset. He stated that removing immunity would “allow the Norwegian justice system to do its work and Mr Jagland, if prosecuted, to defend himself.”

Jagland, a former prime minister of Norway, led the human rights watchdog from 2009 to 2019. His immunity covered acts carried out during his tenure.

Berset also revealed he had requested an internal administrative inquiry into the allegations. He said he would launch a parallel review of the Council’s institutional governance practices to protect its integrity.

Jagland’s lawyer, Anders Brosveet, said the decision was “expected.” He added that Jagland would cooperate with the investigation but believed “there are no circumstances that constitute criminal liability.”

Norwegian media reports cite newly released US documents showing extensive contact between Jagland and Epstein. They allege Jagland asked Epstein for financial help to buy an apartment, a claim Jagland denies.

The documents also show Jagland stayed with Epstein in New York in 2018 and in Paris in 2015 and 2018. A planned 2014 family trip to Epstein’s private island was ultimately cancelled.

Jagland recently told a newspaper he had shown “poor judgment” by maintaining the relationship. The probe follows a major US document release related to Epstein, who died in 2019 while awaiting trial.

 The Sun Malaysia