A teenager from Norway who came to the UK to carry out an assassination for a Swedish gang has been convicted of conspiracy to commit murder. Johannes Natland, a talented 19-year-old footballer, was apprehended by police in a hotel room in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, where they discovered two firearms and 19 rounds of ammunition in his possession. The Old Bailey trial revealed that Natland had been recruited by the Foxtrot Network, an organized crime group associated with the Iranian regime, to engage in criminal activities on their behalf.
Despite the murder target being undisclosed, the UK government has sanctioned the Scandinavian group involved. Following a retrial, Natland received a unanimous guilty verdict from the jury after more than 17 hours of deliberation. He remained impassive upon hearing the verdict, even though he admitted to possessing the firearms and ammunition but denied the conspiracy charge. Evidence presented during the trial indicated his full awareness of the intention to carry out a murder in the UK.
The prosecutor, Alistair Richardson, described how Natland was “recruited” by the Foxtrot Network, characterized as a Swedish criminal organization supported by the Iranian regime, known for employing young assassins referred to as “violence-as-a-service” by Europol. The swift action of Counter Terrorism Policing London officers, with support from West Yorkshire Police and CTP North East, led to Natland’s arrest before he could execute the planned murder in the UK.
Commander Helen Flanagan emphasized the collaborative efforts with international law enforcement partners in thwarting criminal organizations operating across European borders. The investigation not only prevented a potential assassination in the UK but also removed two lethal weapons and ammunition from criminal circulation, enhancing public safety.
Natland was detained in March 2025 after authorities found two guns and ammunition concealed under his bed in a hotel. His arrest was facilitated by Norwegian police, who had intercepted the individual responsible for recruiting him and alerted UK authorities. Bodycam footage from the arrest at the hotel depicted Natland’s initial jovial demeanor quickly turning serious as he was detained on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder.
Further investigations by Counter Terrorism Police resulted in the arrest of a 27-year-old man in September 2025 on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder, while two men in Bradford were apprehended for handling stolen goods and subsequently released on bail. The ongoing efforts demonstrate the commitment to combatting criminal activities and ensuring public safety.
