Estonia issues a warning as anxiety rises across Europe over the risk of a Russian move against NATO territory and after repeated aerial incursions within the alliance’s borders.

In a stark assessment released Tuesday, a panel of independent United Nations experts has declared that the allegations surfacing from millions of unsealed Jeffrey Epstein files point to a “global criminal enterprise” potentially constituting crimes against humanity. The unsealed Epstein files expose disturbing evidence of a global elite network that has long enjoyed near-total immunity from accountability for heinous crimes, including the systematic sexual exploitation of underage girls and even allegations linked to murder. Appointed by the UN Human Rights Council, these experts highlighted the “grave scale, nature, systematic character, and transnational reach” of the abuses, which they described as rooted in supremacist ideologies, racism, corruption, and extreme misogyny. The files, released by the U.S. Justice Department under congressional mandate, detail over 1,200 victims and Epstein’s extensive connections to influential figures in politics, finance, academia, and entertainment. The experts criticized compliance failures, including botched redactions that exposed victim identities, leading to retraumatization and a sense of “institutional gaslighting.” They urged independent investigations to uncover how such atrocities persisted unchecked for decades. This pronouncement comes amid a widening international fallout from the Epstein scandal, which has evolved from a U.S.-centric story into a global reckoning. Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges, built a network that commodified and dehumanized women and girls on an industrial scale. The latest file releases, mandated by a November 2025 law, include emails, photos, court records, and FBI documents from multiple probes, revealing not just victims but a web of enablers and associates. According to recent U.S. Justice Department statements and analyses of the unsealed files, Epstein is accused of exploiting at least 1,000 underage girls and young women through his international sex trafficking ring, with more than 1,200 victims specifically identified in the released documents so far. The U.S. Justice Department has faced scrutiny for its handling, with no immediate response to the UN’s concerns. The Epstein rise and fall: a brief background Jeffrey Epstein’s rise and fall is a tale of unchecked power. A former teacher turned financier, he amassed wealth through opaque dealings, managing billions for clients like billionaire Les Wexner. In 2008, he pleaded guilty in Florida to procuring a minor for prostitution, serving a lenient 13-month sentence with work release. Undeterred, Epstein continued his operations, allegedly trafficking minors across his properties in New York, Florida, New Mexico, Paris, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. His 2019 arrest exposed a pyramid scheme of abuse, aided by associates like Ghislaine Maxwell, convicted in 2021 of sex trafficking. The scandal’s persistence stems from Epstein’s “black book” and flight logs, which documented his hobnobbing with elites. Initial unsealed documents in 2019 and 2024 named figures like Bill Clinton and Prince Andrew (now Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor), but the 2026 trove – over 3 million pages – has amplified the revelations, including videos, diagrams of his inner circle, and emails showing post-conviction ties. Discovery of over a million additional Epstein documents delays full release amid scrutiny Victims like Juliette Bryant have called for accountability, decrying redactions that shield potential co-conspirators. The expanding web of VIPs The 2026 releases have dramatically expanded the list of VIPs linked to Epstein, underscoring his influence across borders and sectors. The DOJ’s February 15 letter to Congress cataloged hundreds of “politically exposed persons,” including living and deceased icons like Princess Diana, Elvis Presley, and Michael Jackson—mentioned in contexts ranging from casual references to deeper associations. Presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton appear thousands of times, though neither faces accusations of wrongdoing. Trump, a longtime acquaintance, parted ways in the mid-2000s, calling Epstein a “creep.” Clinton’s mentions include flights on Epstein’s plane, but he has denied knowledge of crimes. Clintons push for televised testimony in Epstein probe amid GOP fears of Trump revelations Business titans dominate: Elon Musk exchanged emails with Epstein post-2019 arrest; Bill Gates met him multiple times from 2011, later regretting it; Howard Lutnick, now Commerce Secretary, had financial discussions. Les Wexner, whose fortune Epstein managed, appears prominently. Other notables: Steve Bannon (hundreds of texts), Kathy Ruemmler (former White House counsel), Reid Hoffman (LinkedIn co-founder), Peter Thiel (PayPal co-founder), and Michael Wolff (author). Cultural figures like Woody Allen (longtime friend) and Deepak Chopra (financial advice) also surface. Internationally, former Israeli PM Ehud Barak dined with Epstein and flew on his plane; UK politician Peter Mandelson shared government info; Norwegian ex-PM Thorbjørn Jagland stayed at Epstein’s properties. The Epstein files take their toll on European figures The list grows with each release, including NASCAR drivers, Norwegian princesses, and former senators. As UN experts note, this web enabled abuses through complicity or acquiescence. France’s national investigation and global echoes France has emerged as a leader in responding, with Paris prosecutors establishing a dedicated team on 14 February to scour files for crimes involving French nationals. This includes re-examining the case of Jean-Luc Brunel, Epstein’s modeling scout associate who died in prison in 2022 amid rape charges. On 16 February police raided the Arab World Institute, formerly headed by ex-Culture Minister Jack Lang, probing tax fraud and money laundering tied to Epstein. Lang and daughter Caroline are under scrutiny for offshore funds; Lang resigned amid revelations. A separate probe targets French diplomat Fabrice Aidan. Prosecutors aim to uncover sexual or financial offenses, coordinating with financial crimes units. This mirrors a broader trend: At least 10 countries are investigating. In the UK, Mandelson faces misconduct probes for leaking info; Mountbatten-Windsor is investigated for trade reports shared with Epstein. Norway charged ex-PM Jagland with corruption; ambassador Mona Juul resigned over bequests. Sweden, Slovakia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Ireland have launched inquiries, with Poland probing Epstein-Russia links. Europe’s elite have toppled faster than in the U.S., where fallout is muted despite prominent names like Trump and Lutnick. UN experts warn that resignations aren’t enough; full prosecutions are needed under international law. With Reuters, with additional content by g.g. Caption: Printed copies of the Jeffrey Epstein files in Miami, Florida, 10 February 2026. According to official charges and court records released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, Epstein orchestrated a sex-trafficking operation involving minors, leveraging his wealth and social standing to exploit victims over several decades. EPA/CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICH

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