Dalai Lama office denies Epstein links after 169 mentions in files
Dalai Lama office denies Epstein links after 169 mentions in files
Dalai Lama's office says the spiritual leader never met Epstein, despite reports of 169 mentions in Epstein files; officials urge caution over linking him to wrongdoing.
The Dalai Lama's office has issued a clarification amid reports tying the Tibetan spiritual leader to Jeffrey Epstein in the so‑called Epstein files. The office says His Holiness has never met Epstein, nor authorized any meeting or interaction through anyone on his behalf.
Several outlets reported that the Dalai Lama's name appears among the documents released in a court‑ordered disclosure by the US Department of Justice, with some claims noting it appears 169 times. The statement emphasizes that these mentions, found in emails and other materials, are often incidental and do not amount to wrongdoing.
Epstein, who died in 2019, was convicted on sex‑abuse charges and linked to a broad network of associates. The released materials cover public events and third‑party discussions, and activists have underlined that mentions are not evidence of illegal behavior. The Dalai Lama’s office stresses that none of the released materials indicate illegal activity by the spiritual leader.
Analysts say the controversy highlights how snippets from large legal files can be misinterpreted, and caution is warranted before drawing conclusions from mentions alone. The clarification issued from Dharamsala aims to set the record straight as the Epstein files continue to spark discussion across media and social platforms.
For observers, the episode underscores the sensitivity around linking high‑profile figures to Epstein and the importance of distinguishing between mentions and proven conduct.
