norwegian ambassador's resignation ignites diplomatic storm over epstein ties

2026-02-10 buitenland

Oslo, dinsdag, 10 februari 2026.
Mona Juul has stepped down as Norway’s ambassador to Jordan amid intense scrutiny over her connections to Jeffrey Epstein. The move follows revelations that Epstein included Juul and her husband Terje Rød-Larsen’s children in his will with a $10 million inheritance. Once celebrated for her pivotal role in the 1990s Oslo Accords, Juul now faces a corruption investigation alongside her husband. Norway’s Foreign Ministry cited a ‘serious lapse in judgment’ and launched an inquiry into her conduct. Authorities have searched properties linked to the couple as part of the probe. The scandal extends beyond Juul, ensnaring other high-profile Norwegians like Crown Princess Mette-Marit and former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland. The International Peace Institute, formerly led by Rød-Larsen, is also under review for past dealings with Epstein. While Juul admits her contact descriptions were imprecise, she denies any professional or social independence from Epstein, attributing ties solely to her husband. The fallout marks a dramatic fall from grace for a seasoned diplomat once central to Middle East peace efforts.

diplomatic fallout in norway deepens over epstein connections

Norway’s diplomatic community is reeling from the resignation of ambassador Mona Juul amid scrutiny over her ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein [1]. Juul stepped down on February 9, 2026, after being suspended earlier that week [2]. The Norwegian Foreign Ministry cited a ‘serious lapse in judgment’ due to her contact with Epstein, undermining confidence in her diplomatic role [3]. Investigations are ongoing into the nature and extent of her interactions with the disgraced financier [4].

inheritance revelation triggers crisis

Public scrutiny intensified after reports surfaced that Epstein designated $10 million in his will for Juul and her husband Terje Rød-Larsen’s two children [1]. The will was drafted shortly before Epstein’s suicide in a New York prison in 2019 [2]. Each child stood to inherit $5 million, raising ethical concerns about prior relationships [5]. Juul acknowledged her initial description of minimal contact was ‘imprecise’ and accepted responsibility for insufficient caution [3].

criminal probe expands to top norwegian figures

Norwegian authorities have launched an aggravated corruption investigation involving Juul and Rød-Larsen [6]. The country’s economic crime unit, Økokrim, conducted searches on February 9, 2026, at a property in Oslo’s Frogner district and a witness’s home [7]. Juul is suspected of gross corruption; Rød-Larsen of complicity [8]. Their legal representatives deny any criminal wrongdoing [9].

institutional ties under review

The Foreign Ministry has initiated a review of its historical funding and relations with the International Peace Institute (IPI), where Rød-Larsen served as director [3]. Epstein maintained close ties with Rød-Larsen, exchanging frequent communications and meeting socially [10]. Documents reveal Epstein assisted the couple in negotiating an apartment purchase in 2018, warning the seller that failure to proceed would ‘become unpleasant’ [11].

legacy of oslo accords overshadowed

Both Juul and Rød-Larsen played instrumental roles in brokering the 1990s Oslo Accords between Israelis and Palestinians [12]. Once hailed as peacemakers, their reputations now face severe damage [1]. Despite their historic contributions, current allegations threaten to redefine their public legacies [3]. The couple remains subjects of active governmental and judicial inquiries [4].

wider royal and political implications

The Epstein disclosures have implicated other high-ranking Norwegians [1]. Crown Princess Mette-Marit publicly apologized for her association with Epstein on February 6, 2026 [13]. Former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland is under investigation for suspected corruption related to Epstein ties [14]. These developments have prompted calls for greater transparency in public service conduct [3].

Bronnen

Jeffrey Epstein Mona Juul