Norway moves to lift immunity of anti-Azerbaijani former PM Jagland

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide has announced that the government will formally request the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to lift the diplomatic immunity of former prime minister and former Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjørn Jagland, a figure known for his strongly critical stance toward Azerbaijan during his tenure in Strasbourg.

The decision was taken on February 6 following the launch of an investigation by Norway’s Economic Crime Authority (Økokrim). The probe reportedly stems from an analysis of publicly available materials linked to the Epstein case, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

Norway’s Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe, Veibjørn Heines, has informed counterparts on a working basis that the matter will be placed on the agenda of the Committee of Ministers’ meeting scheduled for February 11.

Jagland, who served as Secretary General of the Council of Europe from 2009 to 2019, was a vocal critic of Azerbaijan’s domestic policies and actions on the international stage.

A senior figure in Norwegian and European politics, Jagland served as Norway’s prime minister from 1996 to 1997 and as foreign minister from 2000 to 2001. He also chaired the Norwegian Nobel Committee from 2009 to 2015.

By Sabina Mammadli