Norway to cooperate with France in Epstein-linked probe

Økokrim, Norway’s agency for combating economic crime, announced that it will cooperate with France in the investigation into former Norwegian diplomats found to have links to Jeffrey Epstein.

Økokrim said it will work with France in the probe into Norwegian former diplomats connected to Epstein, the billionaire who was found dead in prison while awaiting trial in the United States on charges of running a prostitution ring involving underage girls, CE Report quotes Anadolu Agency.

According to NRK, Økokrim has signed a cooperation protocol with France as part of its investigation into the ties between Epstein and former Norwegian diplomat Terje Rød-Larsen—known as one of the architects of the Oslo Accords—and his wife Mona Juul.

Under the agreement, the countries will be able to share evidence related to the investigation. Økokrim Chief Prosecutor Marianne Bender said that France is conducting a similar investigation into individuals linked to Epstein.

Økokrim is investigating Rød-Larsen and Juul over allegations that they received “significant benefits and services” from Epstein between 2011 and 2018.

The Epstein case

Epstein, who was accused of sexually abusing dozens of underage girls and running a prostitution network, was found dead in his cell on August 10, 2019, at a federal jail in Manhattan, New York.

Court documents related to Epstein included the names of high-profile figures such as Prince Andrew, Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, Ehud Barak, Al Gore, Kevin Spacey, Michael Jackson, David Copperfield, Alan Dershowitz, and Bill Richardson.

The FBI, after a joint review with the U.S. Department of Justice, stated that it found no evidence of a “client list” involving celebrities. It also concluded that Epstein died by suicide in his cell, rejecting claims that he had been killed to cover up crimes involving powerful figures.