In a press release, lawyers Thomas Skjelbred and John Christian Elden have stated that the corruption charges against their clients, Mona Juul and Terje Rød-Larsen, are fundamentally flawed. They argue that the charges are so general that they cannot be effectively countered. Juul is accused of severe corruption, while Rød-Larsen is implicated in aiding and abetting the same offense. These charges arose after new information was released in connection with the Jeffrey Epstein case, raising the stakes for the defendants.

The lawyers contend that for a case of corruption to hold, there must be a clear connection between any advantages gained and a specific position or role held by the accused. With the alleged connection seemingly absent, they believe the foundation for the corruption accusations also collapses. Both Juul and Rød-Larsen vehemently deny the allegations and maintain their innocence in this complex legal landscape.

The Norwegian economic crime unit, Økokrim, has initiated an investigation into the matter to determine if any illegal actions have occurred. Økokrim chief Pål Lønseth has indicated that this investigation is expected to be comprehensive and protracted, suggesting that the ramifications of the case could be significant and far-reaching, highlighting the seriousness of the allegations and the broader implications of the revelations tied to the Epstein documents.