On February 12, 2026, Norway's economic crimes authority Okokrim charged former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland with gross corruption. The charges stem directly from the Epstein Files released by the US Department of Justice on January 30, 2026. Jagland is one of only two individuals globally charged following the release — the other is former UK minister Peter Mandelson.
Confirmed Evidence
- CONFIRMED Jagland charged with gross corruption by Okokrim on February 12, 2026. Directly linked to Epstein Files DOJ release. Wikipedia / Okokrim
- CONFIRMED Jagland was Secretary General of the Council of Europe 2009–2019 — the exact period under investigation. He was also chair of the Nobel Committee (2009–2015), the body that awarded Obama the Peace Prize. Council of Europe
- CONFIRMED The Azerbaijan "Caviar Diplomacy" scandal: PACE members and CoE Secretariat staff received gifts from Azerbaijani state lobbyists. Jagland was accused of passivity as Secretary General. PACE Investigation
- REPORTED Epstein Files contain documents linking Jagland to Epstein's network via gifts, travel, and loans received in connection with his official positions. DOJ Epstein Files
- REPORTED Reports indicate the King of Norway and Jagland were hospitalised due to stress following public pressure from the charges and media coverage. Norwegian press, Feb 2026
Key Timeline
Open Questions Under Investigation
- What specific gifts, travel, or loans does the charge relate to — and who provided them?
- Did Jagland's Council of Europe decisions benefit any Epstein-connected entities?
- What is the connection between the Nobel Committee chairmanship and Epstein's network?
- Why did Norwegian media largely treat this as routine crime news rather than investigating the institutional dimensions?
The DOJ Epstein Files contain over 1,000 references to Crown Princess Mette-Marit, including direct emails between her and Jeffrey Epstein spanning 2011–2014. The Norwegian Royal Palace confirmed the contact. International outlets — NBC News, Fox News, CNN — covered the story in detail. Norwegian media coverage was significantly more restrained — even as 44% of Norwegians said they do not want Mette-Marit as future Queen.
Confirmed Evidence
- CONFIRMED DOJ Epstein Files contain 1,000+ mentions of Mette-Marit. The Norwegian Royal Palace confirmed her contact with Epstein. Palace statement / DOJ
- CONFIRMED Epstein was convicted in 2008 of procuring children for prostitution — years before the 2011–2014 emails with Mette-Marit. She maintained contact after his conviction. Miami Herald / DOJ
- CONFIRMED 44% of Norwegians say they do not want Mette-Marit as future Queen of Norway (Norstat survey for NRK/Dagbladet, 2026). Norstat / NRK
- REPORTED NBC News, Fox News and CNN published detailed coverage including email quotes. Fox News reported emails included the phrase "tickle my brain." Norwegian media coverage was comparatively restrained on institutional dimensions. NBC / Fox News / CNN
- REPORTED Terje Rød-Larsen — senior Norwegian diplomat, IPI president, personally received $130,000 from Epstein — has close links to both the Royal family and the Norwegian Foreign Ministry. Okokrim / Under investigation
Open Questions Under Investigation
- What was the nature of the relationship beyond personal correspondence — were there financial transactions, joint projects, or physical meetings?
- Who introduced Mette-Marit to Epstein — was the connection via WEF, Terje Rød-Larsen, or another Norwegian intermediary?
- Why did Norwegian media cover this significantly less thoroughly than international outlets?
- What is the connection between the Norwegian Royal family, Rød-Larsen, and the IPI funding from the Norwegian Foreign Ministry?
"Journalism Is Not For Bullies" — Dagens Næringsliv, Feb 2026
Norway's major financial newspaper published an op-ed arguing that journalists covering the Epstein-Norway connections are acting as "bullies" — and that coverage should be restrained to protect those involved.
This framing — that accountability journalism targeting powerful public figures constitutes bullying — is itself a story about how Norwegian media approaches power.
The Coverage Gap
International outlets published detailed investigative coverage of the Mette-Marit emails and Jagland charges — including email quotes, institutional analysis, and follow-up investigations. Norwegian mainstream media covered the surface facts but largely avoided the institutional dimensions: the Council of Europe corruption angle, the IPI-Rød-Larsen-Epstein connection, the 130 million NOK in Foreign Ministry funding to IPI without oversight, and the Børge Brende (WEF President) connection.
"Journalister er ikke bøller" — The argument that reporting on verified public facts is bullying is not a journalistic position. It is a political position that protects those in power.
Coverage Comparison
- INTERNATIONAL Mette-Marit emails: NBC News, Fox News, CNN, UPI — detailed reporting with email content and institutional analysis Covered in full
- NORWAY Mette-Marit emails: NRK, Dagbladet covered the story, but significantly less institutional depth than international outlets Partial
- NORWAY Jagland criminal charge: reported as routine crime news — the Council of Europe and Nobel Committee institutional dimensions largely ignored Surface only
- MISSING IPI/Rød-Larsen: The connection between Norwegian Foreign Ministry funding (130M NOK, no oversight) and the IPI under Rød-Larsen while Epstein money flowed through — underreported in Norway Not covered
- MISSING Børge Brende (WEF President, former Norwegian FM): 60+ mentions in Epstein Files — institutional connections not investigated by Norwegian media Not covered