Norwegian authorities have launched an investigation into two prominent diplomats, Mona Juul and her husband, Terje Roed-Larsen, amid allegations of corruption linked to their connections with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. The inquiry is part of a broader scandal that has raised questions about the relationships of high-profile figures in Norway with Epstein, who was found dead in a New York jail in August 2019.
Juul, who recently resigned from her post as ambassador to Jordan and Iraq, is suspected of gross corruption, while Roed-Larsen, a former government minister, faces allegations of complicity in similar offenses. According to Norway’s financial crimes unit, Oekokrim, the investigation is expected to be extensive and long-term. “A new investigation has been opened in connection with the Epstein files,” Oekokrim stated.
Both Juul and Roed-Larsen are cooperating with investigators and maintain that the accusations against them are baseless, according to their legal representatives. Roed-Larsen’s connection to Epstein first surfaced in the Norwegian media in 2019, leading to public scrutiny. He later stepped down as CEO of the New York-based International Peace Institute in 2020, following repeated apologies for his past association with Epstein.
The renewed focus on the couple’s ties to Epstein coincides with the recent release of millions of pages of files by the U.S. Justice Department related to the Epstein case. Among the newly uncovered information is a plan for Juul and Roed-Larsen to visit Epstein’s private island in 2011 with their two children, although it remains unclear if the visit actually occurred.
Roed-Larsen expressed a more personal relationship with Epstein in a 2017 text message, referring to him as his “best friend” and thanking him for “everything you have done.” Epstein also assisted the couple in negotiating a property purchase in Oslo in 2018, reportedly warning the seller in an email that it would become “unpleasant” if the deal fell through over a price dispute.
In a will signed just two days before his death, Epstein stated that Juul and Roed-Larsen’s two children would each inherit approximately USD 5 million. Roed-Larsen’s lawyer, John Christian Elden, indicated that the police investigation is centered on the 2018 real estate transaction and the potential trip in 2011. Elden expressed confidence that a thorough review of the facts would lead to the dismissal of the case.
Juul has held various ambassadorial roles for Norway, including positions in Israel, the United Kingdom, and at the United Nations. The police have indicated that Oekokrim will explore whether “benefits were received in connection with her position.” Juul’s lawyer, Thomas Skjelbred, remarked that his client welcomes the investigation, which he believes will clarify the circumstances surrounding the allegations. “My client does not recognise the accusations made against her,” Skjelbred stated.
The couple played a significant role in the 1993-1995 Oslo Accords, which were intended to pave the way for peace between Israel and the Palestinians. Despite their efforts, the region remains in conflict. Roed-Larsen, now 78, briefly served as a cabinet minister in 1996 under former Prime Minister Thorbjoern Jagland.
The investigation has drawn attention not only to Juul and Roed-Larsen but also to other notable Norwegians with ties to Epstein, including Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who has publicly apologised for her association. The unfolding scandal continues to raise questions about the impact of Epstein’s legacy on influential figures in Norway.
