Former Norwegian PM Thorbjørn Jagland was hospitalised after being charged with corruption linked to his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, with reports of a ‘suicide attempt’ denied by his legal team
A former Prime Minister who was named in the Epstein Files has been rushed to hospital following an alleged suicide attempt.
Former Norwegian Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland was admitted to hospital on Tuesday, 24 February, just days after being charged with serious corruption offences linked to his association with paedophile Epstein.
Jagland faces charges of “gross corruption” after newly released documents appeared to reveal a transactional relationship between the ex-PM and the convicted paedophile between 2011 and 2018, reports the Mirror.
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Whilst some Norwegian outlets have reported a suicide attempt, the high-profile statesman’s legal team has insisted he was rushed to hospital due to extreme stress rather than a deliberate act.
Documents amongst the millions released in the Epstein Files appeared to show the relationship between the Norwegian politician and the sex offender included requests for diplomatic favours, luxury travel and financial solicitations.
Norwegian authorities launched an investigation into the relationship and the ex-leader over potential corruption – Jagland admitted “poor judgment”.
The former Prime Minister’s lawyer, Anders Brosveet, rejected claims by some Norwegian outlets, including iNyheter, and strongly denied Jagland had gone through a “suicide attempt”. Brosveet revealed that his client was hospitalised following severe stress and medical complications arising from the criminal investigation and pressure from the media.
Jagland has denied any criminal responsibility and has previously stated his willingness to cooperate with the investigation, according to his legal team.
Jagland served as Norway’s Prime Minister between 1996 and 1997, and chaired the Norwegian Nobel Committee from 2009 to 2015. The charges against Jagland were brought following the lifting of his immunity from the Council of Europe, which he led between 2009 and 2018.
Documents within the Epstein files appear to indicate that Jagland had planned a family visit to Epstein’s private island in 2014, though this was called off when the paedophile fell ill.
A separate exchange appeared to suggest the former Prime Minister attempted to assist Epstein in securing a bank loan, though it remains unclear whether this was successful, according to Norwegian broadcaster NRK.
Norwegian police have yet to confirm whether this allegation is under investigation. It should be noted that appearing in the Epstein Files does not constitute an accusation of any wrongdoing.
Jagland is not the first high-profile Norwegian figure to feature in the files. Crown Princess Mette-Marit issued a lengthy public apology for her friendship with Epstein following the release of emails exchanged between the two.
The statement read: “I would like to express my deepest regret for my friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. It is important for me to apologise to all of you that I have disappointed. Some of the content of the messages between Epstein and me does not represent the person I want to be. I also apologise for the situation that I have put the Royal Family in, especially the King and Queen.”
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