Norwegian parliament to question 11 ministers about Epstein-linked foreign ministry revelations

Separate probes target the revelations and corruption allegations involving former ambassador Mona Juul and others

Eleven current and former Norwegian ministers are set to face parliamentary questioning for two days beginning Wednesday about foreign ministry practices brought under scrutiny by revelations concerning Jeffrey Epstein, the VG newspaper reported on Tuesday.

The hearings will examine what officials knew about concerns of the Foreign Ministry, including grants to the International Peace Institute (IPI), a think tank formerly headed by Terje Rod-Larsen, who had close contact with the late convicted sex offender.

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, who served as foreign minister from 2005 to 2012, is among those expected to appear before parliament’s control committee.

Committee chair Per-Willy Amundsen described the information made public so far as “disturbing,” but cautioned that two days of hearings would be insufficient to establish a full account of the matters under review.

A separate commission is investigating the revelations and is due to report in January 2028. Norway’s economic crime authority, Okokrim, is also investigating specific corruption allegations involving former ambassador Mona Juul, Rod-Larsen and former Prime Minister Thorbjorn Jagland.

Former Foreign Minister Borge Brende is also expected to face questions about his roles at the World Economic Forum and his contact with Epstein. Committee member Lars Haltbrekken said he would ask whether Brende’s ties to the forum had influenced his work as foreign minister.

The ministry agreed to support the forum in 2015, during Brende’s tenure. It subsequently received funding from Norway’s development aid budget, according to figures cited by VG.