Norwegian authorities are investigating a high-ranking diplomat and her husband on suspicion of corruption, a case that has prompted the diplomat’s resignation from her post. Mona Juul resigned as Norway’s ambassador to Jordan and Iraq on Sunday, February 9, 2026, following discussions with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and has since been questioned by investigators.
Juul and her husband, Terje Rød-Larsen, are being investigated by Norway’s economic crime unit, Økokrim, for aggravated corruption and complicity in the alleged offenses. Their home in Oslo was searched earlier this week, according to reports. The investigation centers around potential benefits received in connection with Juul’s position, police said in a statement.
The couple’s home in Oslo was searched earlier this week.
Juul’s lawyer, Thomas Skjelbred, said his client underwent a “thorough questioning” by Økokrim on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, and is now in discussions with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to address the matter. “Juul has made it clear that she regrets having had contact with Jeffrey Epstein,” Skjelbred stated. “She completely and unequivocally distances herself from him and his actions, and expresses deep sympathy for all those who have been subjected to the abuse he has been convicted and suspected of.”
Økokrim confirmed that Juul was interviewed but declined to provide further comment on the ongoing investigation.
Skjelbred said Juul maintains she had no personal relationship with the convicted sex offender, though she acknowledges contact occurred. He added that she was unaware of Epstein’s crimes.
“She didn’t know anything about this, but I don’t aim for to go into detail about what she explained to Økokrim,” Skjelbred said.
Juul believes there is no basis for the charges and maintains she has not committed any criminal act. Her lawyer emphasized a distinction between poor judgment and criminal behavior. “At the same time, it is important to distinguish between moral and human misjudgments on the one hand and criminal acts on the other. The fact that she today acknowledges that she exercised poor judgment by having contact with Epstein does not mean that she has acted in violation of the Penal Code,” Skjelbred said.
The investigation follows the release of the “Epstein files” earlier this month, which revealed extensive contact between Juul’s husband, Terje Rød-Larsen, and Epstein. The case highlights the potential for diplomatic ties to become entangled in criminal investigations.
The files also show that Epstein pressured shipping magnate Morits Skaugen to sell the couple a property in Oslo at a price below market value. This property transaction is among the matters being investigated by Økokrim.
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