The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has made a significant decision to lift the legal immunity of Thorbjørn Jagland, a former Secretary General who served from 2009 to 2019. This decision comes in light of revelations regarding Jagland's connections to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. Reports indicate that Jagland was involved in numerous questionable activities while maintaining a relationship with Epstein, raising serious concerns about integrity within high-ranking political offices.

Recent developments have prompted Norway's Økokrim, the economic crime and corruption agency, to initiate a corruption investigation into Jagland following the emergence of evidence from the documents associated with Epstein. The investigation focuses on various allegations, including a planned family trip to Epstein's private island, and the suspicious payment of medical bills by Epstein for Jagland in New York. Additionally, it has been revealed that Jagland borrowed properties from Epstein in New York and Paris, and hosted Epstein in Strasbourg, further entangling him in this high-profile scandal.

The implications of this decision and ongoing investigation could have far-reaching effects on the political landscape in Norway as well as further tarnishing the reputation of the Council of Europe. This development not only shakes public trust in political figures but also signals a broader effort to hold powerful individuals accountable for their inappropriate connections and actions, particularly in relation to pervasive issues like corruption and abuse.