Norway Launches Hearings Into Official Ties With Jeffrey Epstein

The Norwegian parliament began public hearings on September 30, 2026, to investigate connections between senior officials and late U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Storting's Committee on Scrutiny and Constitutional Affairs summoned 11 current and former foreign and development ministers to examine potential abuses of office and the management of development aid funds. A primary focus of the probe is the Foreign Ministry's payment of over 130 million kroner to the International Peace Institute, a think tank led by diplomat Terje Rød-Larsen.

Jonas Gahr Støre, the Prime Minister of Norway, denied any relationship with Epstein and rejected claims that the ministry suffered from systemic failures. In contrast, former Foreign Minister Børge Brende admitted during the hearings that he lied in 2025 about meeting Epstein, stating he feared the contact would damage the World Economic Forum. Brende subsequently resigned as president and CEO of the World Economic Forum.

Parallel to the parliamentary hearings, Norway's economic crime authority, Okokrim, is investigating former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland, former minister Terje Rød-Larsen, and former ambassador Mona Juul on allegations of aggravated corruption. All three deny criminal wrongdoing. The investigation follows the release of millions of documents by the United States Department of Justice in January. An independent commission of experts has also been established to conduct a broader examination of diplomatic history, with a final report expected by January 31, 2028.