A court trial revealed that a 19-year-old Norwegian, Johannes Kongsnes Natland, was recruited by a Swedish criminal organization associated with the Iranian regime to commit a murder in the UK. Natland, who traveled to the UK under the guise of sightseeing, was apprehended in Huddersfield two days after arriving at Manchester Airport.
Authorities found a semi-automatic pistol, a revolver, and live ammunition in Natland’s possession. It was disclosed that he had agreed to carry out the hit in exchange for payment from the Foxtrot Network, a Swedish criminal group with ties to the Iranian regime.
The court learned that a person known as Agent 47 had contacted an individual named Generalen to request an assassination in the UK, offering 25,000 euros as compensation. Natland was then contacted by a user named UnknownHustler to inform him of the task, to which Natland cryptically replied to his girlfriend about embarking on a “crazy mission.”
Upon his arrival in the UK, Natland was questioned by Border Force officers due to concerns about his age and financial situation. Despite claiming to be in the city to visit friends, he was found in possession of weapons and ammunition. Natland was arrested at a hotel in Huddersfield, where he pretended to wield a firearm when confronted by officers.
The prosecution revealed that the Foxtrot Network, utilized by the Iranian regime, often recruits young individuals like Natland through social media for criminal activities. The group operates with various roles, including instigators like Agent 47, recruiters such as Generalen, and enforcers like Natland, who are typically disconnected from the victims.
Natland has denied the charge of conspiracy to murder, and the trial at the Old Bailey is ongoing.