A court heard that a 19-year-old Norwegian was lured by a Swedish criminal group linked to the Iranian regime to carry out a murder in England.
Johannes Kongsnes Natland traveled to the UK with the alleged intention of committing a hit in exchange for money, despite telling airport authorities he was there to sightsee. It was revealed in court that Natland was supposedly working for a group named Foxtrot Network, a Swedish criminal organization associated with the Iranian regime.
Natland flew from Norway to Manchester Airport on March 18 but was apprehended in a hotel room in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire two days later, where police found a semi-automatic pistol, a revolver, and live ammunition in his possession. According to prosecutor Alastair Richardson, Natland, from Stavanger, had agreed to carry out the task in exchange for payment.
The court heard that an individual known as Agent 47 contacted someone named Generalen to request an assassination in the UK, offering 25,000 euros as payment. Natland was then contacted by a user named UnknownHustler on March 15, informing him of the job.
Upon Natland’s arrival in the UK, he was questioned by Border Force officers due to concerns about his age and financial situation. He claimed he had come to visit friends and explore the city. Natland left the airport, checked into a hotel in Manchester, where he received instructions to proceed with the plan.
Specialist firearms officers arrested Natland at the Briar Court Hotel in Huddersfield on March 19. As he was detained, Natland mimicked holding a firearm and pretended to shoot at the officers. The court was informed that the Foxtrot Network, though based in Sweden, has leadership residing elsewhere and often engages young individuals through social media for criminal activities.
Natland denies the charge of conspiracy to murder, and the trial at the Old Bailey is ongoing.
