Johannes Natland, a Norwegian teenager, has been found guilty by the Old Bailey of plotting to carry out an assassination in the United Kingdom on behalf of an Iran-linked criminal network. The 19-year-old, who was 18 at the time of the alleged plot, travelled from Stavanger in south-west Norway to Britain with the intention of killing a target in exchange for £21,000, the court heard.

The planned attack was disrupted after Natland was arrested inside a hotel room in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, on March 19 last year, only two days after arriving in the UK. Police officers discovered a semi-automatic pistol, a revolver, 12 rounds of ammunition and around £2,000 in cash in his possession.

Prosecutors told the Old Bailey that Natland was not simply involved in an abandoned idea but was “committed to the task of murder.” They described him as a dangerous young man who had agreed to become an assassin in a foreign country for financial gain, claiming he had accepted the mission without knowing or caring about the identity of the intended victim.

The court heard that the assassination plan was organised through the Foxtrot Network, a Swedish criminal gang allegedly connected to Iranian interests. The organisation, led by Rawa Majid, also known as the “Kurdish Fox,” has been accused of using its criminal operations beyond drug trafficking to support attacks against opponents of the Iranian regime. The UK government previously sanctioned Majid and Foxtrot over their involvement in violence targeting Jewish and Israeli interests in Europe.

According to prosecutors, Natland became involved after receiving a message through the encrypted messaging platform Signal from an account using the name “Unknown Hustler.” The message allegedly referred to a “murder in England.” He was later added to a group conversation involving a Norwegian recruiter and a mysterious Foxtrot-linked figure known as “Agent 47,” who was said to have arranged the assassination.

Natland travelled by plane from Stavanger to Manchester on March 17. When he arrived, Border Force officials became suspicious of his behaviour and questioned him. Authorities initially refused him entry into the UK and told him he would need to return to the airport several days later for a flight back to Norway.

However, instead of being detained or immediately removed from the country, Natland was allowed to remain free while waiting for his departure. Prosecutors said this decision gave him the opportunity to continue with the alleged plot. After leaving the airport, he travelled by taxi to a hotel in Manchester.

The following day, he was instructed by his contacts to travel to a woodland area in Huddersfield, where he collected firearms and ammunition. After checking into a nearby hotel, he sent a message to his girlfriend saying, “In the bag is bang.” Later that evening, at 10:39pm, a friend contacted him asking, “U dun it?” to which Natland replied, “No. tomorrow.”

Early on March 19, at approximately 5:15am, armed police officers entered the Briar Court Hotel in Huddersfield and arrested him. When he opened the door, Natland raised his hands and imitated the action of holding a gun, pretending to shoot at one of the officers.

Natland admitted possessing firearms but denied being part of a conspiracy to murder. During his trial, he claimed that he had been frightened by the criminal group and had intended to sabotage the plan at the last moment. He told the court that he considered deliberately injuring himself by shooting himself in the foot so he would be unable to complete the mission.

He argued that he had not withdrawn earlier because he feared the gang would harm him if he refused. However, prosecutors rejected this explanation, describing it as a false story created after his arrest. They argued that his messages and conversations showed he was willing to carry out the attack.

The court heard that Natland had allegedly told his girlfriend that carrying out the killing would be “a bit cool” and that if he avoided being caught, they should celebrate afterward. His former girlfriend, Sara Solbi, who was also 19, told the court about these conversations during the trial.

Prosecutors said the intended victim has never been publicly identified, but argued that Natland showed no concern about who he was expected to kill. They stated that he was motivated by money and had accepted the assignment despite having no personal connection to the target.

The teenager’s background was also discussed during proceedings. The court heard that Natland had previously been a talented student and football player, but later became involved with drugs, including cannabis, LSD and cocaine. Natland himself admitted that he had made serious mistakes and said he accepted the job because he wanted money and planned to spend it on drugs.

He told jurors that he initially believed the offer might have been a scam, but as events progressed, he realised the situation was real and that he had become trapped in a dangerous situation.

Natland was convicted of conspiracy to murder following a retrial after the first jury was unable to reach a verdict. He had already admitted the firearms offence. His sentencing is scheduled for October 16.

Frank Ferguson, head of the Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said the case demonstrated how international criminal organisations exploit young people to carry out serious acts of violence. He said Natland had travelled to the UK after agreeing to commit murder for financial reward, but the plot was stopped before anyone was harmed.

Authorities said the evidence against him included phone records, messages, CCTV footage and witness statements, which they said clearly demonstrated his intention to carry out the attack.

Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said the investigation highlighted the importance of cooperation between UK and international law enforcement agencies. She said close collaboration with Norwegian authorities helped prevent an assassination and resulted in two dangerous weapons being removed from criminal hands.

The investigation remains ongoing. In September 2025, a 27-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder and later released under investigation. Two other men, aged 30 and 27, were arrested in Bradford on May 20 over allegations connected to handling stolen property involving a vehicle. They were later released on bail.