Police in Norway searched properties belonging to former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland on Thursday, his lawyer said, following the launch of a corruption investigation related to his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
Jagland is being investigated after documents the US Justice Department released in January suggested he and his family stayed or vacationed with Epstein between 2011 and 2018, when he chaired the Nobel Committee, which awards the Peace Prize, and was also secretary general of the pan-continental Council of Europe.
Police with the specialized economic crimes unit in Okokrim "are currently conducting searches at Thorbjørn Jagland's residence and recreational properties," his lawyer Anders Brosveet said in a statement.
On Wednesday, the Council of Europe said it was respecting a request from Norwegian authorities to lift Jagland's immunity from legal proceedings that he had previously enjoyed.
The Strasbourg-based pan-European human rights body said such immunity aims to "protect the independent exercise of official functions" and was not intended for "personal gain".
