Norway Parliament Opens Public Hearings on Epstein Ties Among Elite

The Norwegian parliament has launched a series of public hearings regarding the ties between diplomats and politicians in the country and the late American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This follows the release of millions of documents by the US Department of Justice under the administration of US President Donald Trump.

Parliamentary Inquiry and Key Testimonies

The scandal has severely damaged Norway's image, leading to parliamentary investigation committees and police probes. Jonas Andersen Sayed, head of the parliamentary committee, told Reuters that the government must explain how it intends to restore public trust. The committee has summoned 11 current and former foreign and development ministers, including Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, who denied any contact with Epstein.

"There are many people who demonstrated extremely poor judgment," Sayed noted regarding senior officials who maintained friendly relations with Epstein.

Borge Brende, a former foreign minister, recently resigned as president and CEO of the World Economic Forum following the exposure of his ties to Epstein. Brende stated he was unaware of Epstein's criminal past before their first meeting in 2018. Meanwhile, former development minister Erik Solheim criticized the parliamentary probe, calling it an overreaction.

Broader Investigation and Royal Apology

The scandal extends beyond parliament. Prominent Norwegian figures, including former Prime Minister Thorbjorn Jagland, former minister Terje Rod-Larsen, and former diplomat Mona Juul, are under police investigation for suspected corruption. All three denied criminal involvement. Additionally, Crown Princess Mette-Marit apologized for her friendship with Epstein, though she is not subject to the parliamentary hearings.