AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Nearly six years after the death of Jeffrey Epstein, the American financier arrested on charges of sex trafficking and child abuse, the large-scale release of documents related to his case has revealed new international dimensions of the scandal.
The United States Department of Justice announced it had published approximately 3.5 million pages of documents concerning Epstein’s communications, meetings, and correspondence. According to several media outlets, the files contain the names of a number of politicians, corporate executives, and prominent figures.
Name of WEF President Appears in Documents
Among the released documents is the name of Børge Brende, former Foreign Minister of Norway and current President and CEO of the World Economic Forum (WEF).
Reports indicate that U.S. Justice Department records show at least 27 messages exchanged between Brende and Epstein between 2018 and 2019, as well as three private meetings held at Epstein’s residence in New York. This comes despite Brende’s earlier statements to Norwegian media denying any close relationship with Epstein.
He has now acknowledged that his previous remarks were not accurate, stating, “I should have examined Epstein’s background more carefully, and I deeply regret this.”
Reactions in Norway and Europe
The publication of the documents has triggered reactions within Norway’s political sphere. Some politicians, including Guri Melby, have called for scrutiny of Brende’s legitimacy to continue leading the World Economic Forum. Melby said the explanations provided so far are unconvincing and warned that Norway’s international credibility could be at risk.
Meanwhile, the World Economic Forum, headquartered in Davos, Switzerland, announced that it has launched an internal investigation into the matter but declined to provide further details. In a brief statement, the organization said it would not offer “any further comment” at this time.
Potential Implications for the WEF
Analysts say that if any wrongdoing or concealment is established, the case could evolve into a serious crisis for the World Economic Forum, which in recent years has played a key role in hosting the annual Davos meetings and bringing together global political and economic leaders.
In 2025, the organization’s board of trustees also conducted an internal review of its previous management, ultimately finding no misconduct. However, some observers believe the scale of the newly released documents may complicate and intensify ongoing scrutiny.
Ongoing Developments
Media and public attention is now focused on the outcome of the World Economic Forum’s internal investigation, as well as the potential political consequences of the U.S. Justice Department’s disclosures. It remains unclear whether the documents will lead to new formal charges or legal proceedings against additional individuals.
The Epstein case, long regarded as one of the most controversial judicial and political scandals in the United States, has now entered a new phase with the release of fresh documents, potentially exposing broader aspects of his network of connections.
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