The Council of Europe’s Decision to Lift Diplomatic Immunity: An Examination of the Investigation into Thorbjoern Jagland’s Links to Jeffrey Epstein
Abstract
The Council of Europe, a leading human rights watchdog, has lifted the diplomatic immunity of its former Norwegian Secretary General, Thorbjoern Jagland, allowing police to investigate his links to the late financier and sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. This decision was made in response to newly released documents related to Epstein, which suggest that Jagland may have received gifts, travel, and loans in connection with his position. This paper examines the investigation into Jagland’s links to Epstein, the implications of the Council of Europe’s decision to lift his immunity, and the broader context of Epstein’s connections with politicians, royals, and the ultra-rich across Europe and the United States.
Introduction
On February 11, 2026, the Council of Europe announced that it had agreed to lift the diplomatic immunity of its former Secretary General, Thorbjoern Jagland, in response to an investigation by Norway’s white-collar crimes police into his links to Jeffrey Epstein. Jagland, who served as Secretary General from 2009 to 2019, is suspected of aggravated corruption, and the police are seeking to uncover whether he received gifts, travel, and loans in connection with his position. This paper provides an overview of the investigation, the implications of the Council of Europe’s decision to lift Jagland’s immunity, and the broader context of Epstein’s connections with politicians, royals, and the ultra-rich.
Background
Jeffrey Epstein, a financier and sex offender, died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on charges of sex trafficking. However, his connections with politicians, royals, and the ultra-rich have continued to attract scrutiny. In December 2025, newly released documents related to Epstein revealed a host of new connections with prominent individuals across Europe and the United States. Among these was Thorbjoern Jagland, the former Secretary General of the Council of Europe, who is now the subject of an investigation by Norway’s white-collar crimes police.
The Investigation
The investigation into Jagland’s links to Epstein was launched in response to the newly released documents, which suggest that Jagland may have received gifts, travel, and loans in connection with his position. The police are seeking to uncover whether Jagland violated the special trust attached to his position as Secretary General of the Council of Europe. According to Norwegian police, “Jagland as elected Secretary General of the Council of Europe would have violated the special trust attached to his position, if he received bribes.”
The Council of Europe’s Decision to Lift Immunity
The Council of Europe’s decision to lift Jagland’s diplomatic immunity was made in response to a request from Norway’s foreign ministry, which asked the 46 nations of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers to do so. The decision allows police to conduct a thorough investigation into Jagland’s links to Epstein, including whether gifts, travel, and loans were received in connection with his position. Jagland’s lawyer, Anders Brosveet, has stated that Jagland will cooperate with the investigation to clarify all matters.
Implications
The Council of Europe’s decision to lift Jagland’s diplomatic immunity has significant implications for the organization and its reputation. The investigation into Jagland’s links to Epstein raises questions about the organization’s accountability and transparency, particularly in relation to its senior officials. The decision also highlights the need for greater scrutiny of the relationships between politicians, royals, and the ultra-rich, particularly in the context of human rights and corruption.
Broader Context
The investigation into Jagland’s links to Epstein is part of a broader context of scrutiny of Epstein’s connections with politicians, royals, and the ultra-rich across Europe and the United States. The release of new files related to Epstein has revealed a host of new connections, including with politicians, royals, and business leaders. These connections raise serious questions about the extent to which powerful individuals and institutions are complicit in or tolerant of corruption and human rights abuses.
Conclusion
The Council of Europe’s decision to lift Thorbjoern Jagland’s diplomatic immunity is a significant development in the investigation into his links to Jeffrey Epstein. The investigation raises important questions about the accountability and transparency of the Council of Europe and its senior officials, particularly in relation to human rights and corruption. The broader context of Epstein’s connections with politicians, royals, and the ultra-rich highlights the need for greater scrutiny of the relationships between powerful individuals and institutions, particularly in the context of human rights and corruption. Ultimately, the investigation into Jagland’s links to Epstein serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability and transparency in promoting human rights and preventing corruption.
Recommendations
Based on the analysis presented in this paper, several recommendations can be made:
Greater transparency and accountability: The Council of Europe and other organizations should prioritize transparency and accountability, particularly in relation to their senior officials and their relationships with external individuals and institutions.
Scrutiny of relationships: There should be greater scrutiny of the relationships between politicians, royals, and the ultra-rich, particularly in the context of human rights and corruption.
Investigations and prosecutions: Investigations and prosecutions should be pursued vigorously in cases of suspected corruption and human rights abuses, regardless of the individuals or institutions involved.
Reform of diplomatic immunity: The concept of diplomatic immunity should be reviewed and reformed to ensure that it is not used to shield individuals from accountability for their actions.
By implementing these recommendations, we can promote greater transparency and accountability, prevent corruption and human rights abuses, and ensure that powerful individuals and institutions are held to account for their actions.