The release of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Jeffrey Epstein files has sparked a wave of investigations across Europe, as authorities urge victims to come forward and scrutinize high-profile connections to the late financier.
In France, the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office announced two new lines of inquiry: one into alleged human trafficking and another into potential financial misconduct linked to Epstein. Prosecutors hope these investigations encourage survivors who previously remained silent to report their experiences. Five magistrates will oversee complaints and evidence to ensure thorough examination of the extensive files.
The financial inquiry is connected to a broader investigation by France’s National Financial Prosecutor’s Office into former Culture Minister Jack Lang. Reports indicated Lang’s daughter had business ties to Epstein in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Lang resigned as president of the Arab World Institute in Paris following police searches of the institute and stated he welcomed the probe to clarify questions regarding his integrity.
In the United Kingdom, Essex Police confirmed they are reviewing Epstein-related private flights through London Stansted Airport, which appear in the released files. Historical records show at least 87 Epstein-linked flights operated at British airports between the early 1990s and 2018. A national police coordination group has been established to investigate Epstein’s ties to prominent figures and potential misconduct in Britain.
Investigations include scrutiny of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who has faced ongoing criticism for his association with Epstein, and Peter Mandelson, the former UK ambassador to the United States, who is being investigated for alleged misconduct in public office. Both individuals deny wrongdoing.
Elsewhere in Europe, former Norwegian Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland faces charges of gross corruption related to his Epstein connections, while Slovakian national security adviser Miroslav Lajčák resigned after his communications with Epstein were revealed. Both have denied criminal wrongdoing, though Lajčák acknowledged “poor judgment.”
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that her office has released all documents required under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, although some lawmakers argue more disclosures are necessary. Meanwhile, a panel of independent United Nations experts highlighted the severity of the allegations, noting that some could meet the legal threshold for crimes against humanity.
The Epstein files continue to expose the global reach of the convicted sex offender, prompting international law enforcement agencies to intensify their investigations and review decades of evidence.
