Full Breakdown
Norwegian Teen Charged with International Hit Claims He Never Intended to Kill
6/13/2026, 12:51:02 PM
Alleged Plot, Arrest and Financial Details
Nineteen-year-old Norwegian Johannes Natland is on trial at the Old Bailey for an alleged contract killing ordered by the Foxtrot Network, a Swedish organised-crime group linked to Iran. Police seized two handguns and 12 rounds of ammunition from his Huddersfield hotel room on 19 March 2025. The fee was €25,000; Natland entered the UK with £40 cash and no return ticket. He pleaded guilty to unlawful firearm possession but denies conspiracy to murder.
Background and Recruitment
Natland says drug abuse began at age 13 and led to psychiatric care in December 2024. In March 2025 a youth-home resident, “UnknownHustler,” messaged him on Signal offering €25,000 for a “shooting in England.” The offer led Natland to travel to Manchester on an emergency passport with only £40.
Timeline
- 15 Mar 2025 – Signal message offering €25,000 for an unknown target.
- 17 Mar 2025 – Natland flies to Manchester; Border Force allows entry.
- 18 Mar 2025 – Collects cash and two concealed handguns in Huddersfield, stores them in hotel room 207.
- 19 Mar 2025, 05:15 – Firearms officers arrest Natland.
Legal Perspectives
Prosecutor Alistair Richardson says Natland signed a contract with the Foxtrot Network to assassinate an unidentified person for €25,000, citing the seized firearms and Natland’s admission of joining a chat group called “Assassin.” Defence counsel Paul Hynes KC argues Natland acted under duress, feared his family would be harmed, and planned only to shoot himself in the foot. Natland criticises the Crown’s portrayal of him as a “cold-blooded international hitman,” likening it to the fictional Liam Neeson role in *Taken*.
Discrepancies and Gaps
Natland says he had never seen a gun before his arrest, yet two handguns were found in his hotel room. He also admitted earlier statements to the court were false. The intended victim’s identity and the exact role of the Foxtrot Network’s Iranian links remain undisclosed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I am not a violent guy.” — Johannes Natland
- “I wasn't going to kill anyone, especially not someone that I had never met.” — Johannes Natland
- “most of this statement is a lie” — Johannes Natland
- “ "The prosecution are trying to make me out as this cold-blooded international hitman.” — Johannes Natland
Why the Case Matters
The case shows how transnational crime groups exploit vulnerable youths, using modest cash payments to enable cross-border murder plots. It also tests the UK’s capacity to prosecute foreign-directed conspiracies when the target is unknown.
What’s Next
The Old Bailey is expected to deliver a verdict on the conspiracy-to-murder charge within the next week, after which sentencing will determine Natland’s future and may shape policy on cross-border criminal recruitment.
