The mother of Johannes Natland, a 19-year-old Norwegian who came to the UK to carry out a mission for a Swedish gang, has spoken out about his time in custody. Natland was apprehended by police in a Huddersfield hotel room in possession of two firearms and ammunition. He was assigned by the Foxtrot Network to engage in criminal activities on behalf of the Iranian regime.
The murder target of the sanctioned Scandinavian group remains unidentified. Following a retrial, Natland received a unanimous guilty verdict for conspiracy to commit murder. Despite denying the conspiracy charge, he admitted to possessing the firearms and ammunition. Evidence presented by CTP London officers indicated his full awareness of the intended crime.
During the trial, Natland claimed he planned to harm himself to avoid carrying out the assassination. Despite this defense, the jury found him guilty of conspiracy to commit murder. Natland is scheduled for sentencing at the Old Bailey in October.
Ellen, Natland’s mother, expressed hope for his transfer back to Norway for incarceration, citing the harsh prison conditions in the UK. She emphasized Natland’s non-violent nature and lack of criminal record. Ellen expressed concern over the potential lengthy sentence awaiting her son and criticized his treatment in custody.
Commander Helen Flanagan of CTP London praised the swift action of law enforcement in preventing Natland from committing a murder in the UK. The collaborative efforts with international partners, including Norwegian authorities, were crucial in thwarting the threat posed by criminal organizations. The seizure of weapons and ammunition has contributed to enhancing public safety by removing them from criminal hands.