Thorbjorn Jagland is said to be in a hospital in critical condition following his indictment on gross corruption charges related to his connections with the convicted sex offender
Norwegian media outlet iNyheter has reported that former Norwegian Prime Minister Thorbjorn Jagland was admitted to the hospital last week after an attempted suicide, occurring just days after he was charged with gross corruption linked to his associations with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Citing a “rock-solid source,” iNyheter stated that Jagland’s condition is critical. The hospital where the 75-year-old statesman is being treated has not been made public.
Jagland ranks among Norway’s most prominent political figures, having held positions such as prime minister, parliamentary leader, foreign minister, and Secretary General of the Council of Europe. He also chaired the Norwegian Nobel Committee from 2009 to 2015.
Earlier this month, following the release of the most recent set of Epstein documents by the US Justice Department, Jagland was charged with gross corruption. Norway’s anti-corruption agency conducted thorough searches of Jagland’s properties in Oslo and Risor.
As per the agency’s letter to the Council of Europe requesting the lifting of his immunity, Jagland and his immediate family utilized Epstein’s private apartments in Paris and New York on multiple occasions between 2011 and 2018, and stayed at his villa in Palm Beach, Florida. It is also alleged that Jagland sought Epstein’s help with a bank loan.
If found guilty, Jagland could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison. He has maintained his innocence.
This scandal is part of the broader repercussions from the release of Epstein’s documents, which have sparked investigations and resignations across the political, business, and academic spheres.
The files also reference several other high-profile Norwegians, including Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who is prominently featured in documents chronicling years of interaction with the infamous sex offender. These disclosures further intensify the scrutiny on Norway’s royal family amid the rape trial of her son, Marius Borg Hoiby.
In the UK, former Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested last week on suspicion of “misconduct in public office” for allegedly sharing confidential government information with Epstein during his tenure as a trade envoy. He was later released and remains under investigation, also denying any wrongdoing. An anonymous tip in the files alleged that the former royal was involved in the torture of a six-year-old.
Former UK Ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson was also arrested on comparable charges, with three senior officials in Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government resigning over the past ten days.