Today, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe will make a crucial decision regarding the immunity of Thorbjørn Jagland in relation to the Epstein case. Jagland, a former Secretary General of the Council of Europe, currently enjoys immunity from criminal prosecution for actions taken during his tenure. This discussion is prompted by a request from Økokrim, Norway's National Authority for Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime, which seeks to ensure that their investigation proceeds without obstruction from legal immunities.

Professor Geir Ulfstein, an emeritus professor of public law at the University of Oslo, underscored the importance of this decision for the integrity of Økokrim's investigations. Without lifting Jagland's immunity, there are concerns that the inquiry could face legal impediments that might hinder the pursuit of justice in a case as sensitive as the connections to Jeffrey Epstein.

The Norwegian Foreign Ministry has submitted a proposal to the Council of Europe recommending the lifting of Jagland's immunity, indicating a significant development in this ongoing situation, and reflecting Norway's commitment to accountability and transparency in matters involving high-profile figures. The outcome of today's decision will be closely watched, as it may have broader implications for how similar cases are handled in the future, particularly regarding the intersection of international law and immunity provisions for officials.