Investigation Launched Into Diplomat and Spouse
Police in Norway have initiated an investigation concerning a prominent diplomat and her husband due to their associations with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Mona Juul stepped down from her role as ambassador to Jordan and Iraq on Sunday, shortly after being suspended following reports in Norwegian media. These reports indicated that each of her children was set to inherit $5 million (£3.6 million) from a will purportedly signed by Epstein just days before his death.
Emails disclosed in the Epstein files also suggest that Juul's husband, Terje Rød-Larsen, dined with Epstein in Paris in June 2019, mere weeks prior to Epstein's arrest in the United States on charges related to sex trafficking.
Juul's legal representative stated that she
"does not recognise the accusations made against her", while Rød-Larsen's lawyer expressed confidence that the investigation will demonstrate
"there is no basis for criminal liability".
It is important to note that inclusion in the Epstein files does not imply any wrongdoing.
The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs commented that Juul's interactions with Epstein represented a
"serious lapse in judgement".
Details of the Inquiry
The Norwegian economic crime unit, Økokrim, announced on Monday the commencement of an inquiry into "aggravated corruption" related to the case.
Police stated,
"Økokrim will, among other things, investigate whether benefits were received in connection with her position,"referring specifically to Juul.
As part of the investigation, authorities have conducted a search of a property in Oslo.
Background on Juul and Rød-Larsen
Both Juul and Rød-Larsen were members of a select group of diplomats who negotiated the Oslo Accords between 1993 and 1995, which were regarded at the time as a significant breakthrough in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Norwegian media reports indicate that Rød-Larsen maintained extensive communication with Epstein and arranged multiple meetings with him alongside Juul.
The broader Epstein documents, released by the US Department of Justice last month, comprise millions of private emails, images, and FBI reports related to Epstein, who died in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
Other Nordic Figures Linked to Epstein Files
Juul is the most recent notable public figure from the Nordic region to be implicated in the expanding scandal involving the Epstein files. Others include Crown Princess Mette-Marit, former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland, and Borge Brende, the chief executive of the World Economic Forum (WEF).
Crown Princess Mette-Marit issued a
"profound apology"to the Norwegian public for her friendship with Epstein after revelations that they exchanged messages over a three-year period.
Thorbjørn Jagland, who also formerly led the Norwegian Nobel Committee, is currently under investigation for his alleged connections to Epstein. His lawyer has stated that they will fully cooperate with the police inquiry.
The WEF has commissioned an independent review concerning Brende, who previously served as Norway's foreign minister, regarding his interactions with Epstein.
Brende has admitted to dining with Epstein three times during 2018 and 2019 and to communicating with him via email and text messages. He welcomed the WEF's decision to initiate the review.
