Norwegian Teen Convicted in UK Murder Plot Linked to Iranian State
On Wednesday, Johannes Natland, a 19-year-old from Norway, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder at London's Old Bailey court. His arrest occurred in March of last year in a Huddersfield hotel room, where he was discovered with two firearms and ammunition. Prosecutors indicated that Natland had been enlisted by the Foxtrot Network, a Swedish organized crime syndicate linked to the Iranian government and facing sanctions from both the UK and the US. While he acknowledged possessing a semi-automatic pistol, a revolver, and ammunition, he refuted the murder conspiracy charge, asserting he had no intention of executing the plan. A jury in June failed to reach a verdict, resulting in a retrial that concluded with his conviction.
Key facts
- Johannes Natland, a Norwegian teenager, was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder in Britain.
- The conviction occurred on Wednesday at London's Old Bailey court.
- Natland was arrested in a hotel room in Huddersfield, northern England, in March last year.
- He was found with two firearms and ammunition.
- Prosecutors stated Natland was recruited by the Foxtrot Network, a Swedish organised crime group.
- The Foxtrot Network is used by the Iranian state and sanctioned by Britain and the United States.
- Natland admitted possessing a semi-automatic pistol, a revolver and ammunition.
- He denied conspiracy to murder, saying he did not intend to carry out the plan.
- An initial trial in June resulted in a hung jury on the conspiracy charge.
- A retrial led to the guilty verdict.
Entities
Institutions
- Foxtrot Network
- Old Bailey
Locations
- Norway
- Britain
- United Kingdom
- England
- Huddersfield
- London
- Sweden
- Iran
- United States