India, Feb. 7 -- Authorities in Norway have opened an investigation into former prime minister Thorbjorn Jagland on suspicions of corruption following revelations of his ties with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The Norwegian Economic Crime Investigation Service, a mixed unit of police and prosecutors, announced Thursday that it would look into whether gifts, travel or loans were received by Jagland in connection with his positions. Jagland was Norway's prime minister between 1996 and 1997. He also served as a Chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee and was Secretary General of the Council of Europe, the continent's largest inter governmental human rights body.

The files revealed years of contact between the politician and Epst...