Teenager Recruited as Contract Killer for EUR25,000: Court Convicts Norwegian in London
Authorities in London have convicted a 19-year-old Norwegian national for his involvement in a conspiracy to commit murder, after uncovering a plan that allegedly involved a prominent criminal organization. The individual, Johannes Kongsnes Natland, was apprehended by police in a hotel in Huddersfield, England, after investigators intercepted incriminating messages and gathered further evidence of a planned attack.
According to court documents, Natland was recruited to carry out a contract killing for a fee of EUR25,000. The intended target of the planned shooting has not been publicly identified, and law enforcement continues to investigate the full scope of the plot. The operation reportedly involved a transnational criminal network known as the Foxtrot group, which has origins in Sweden and is believed to have ties to the Iranian regime. The group is led by Rawa Majid, who is known in Sweden as the 'Kurdish Fox' and is thought to be residing in Iran.
During the investigation, police discovered a series of messages that led them to believe Natland was preparing to commit a serious crime. Additional testimony presented in court revealed that Natland had discussed receiving a significant sum of money in exchange for the act. The prosecution argued that Natland had accepted the assignment knowingly and that he was fully aware of the criminal nature of the operation.
Upon searching Natland's hotel room, authorities recovered a plastic bag containing a semi-automatic pistol, a revolver, and a quantity of ammunition hidden under the bed. These findings reinforced suspicions that an imminent attack was being planned. Despite these discoveries, the potential victim of the intended crime remains unidentified, and police have not disclosed further details about the intended target.
The investigation also uncovered that Natland had been approached by a 17-year-old individual operating under the alias 'The General.' This intermediary is alleged to have acted on behalf of the Foxtrot network, facilitating communication and the recruitment process. The Foxtrot organization is regarded by British authorities as an instrument of the Iranian regime, with suspected involvement in various criminal and terrorist activities across Europe, including operations against Jewish and Israeli targets.
During the trial, the defendant claimed that he initially believed the murder plot was a joke or a scam. He stated that upon realizing the seriousness of the situation, he contemplated injuring himself to avoid carrying out the act. However, the court found these explanations unconvincing, particularly in light of the physical evidence and witness statements. One associate testified that Natland had boasted about the financial reward and the lethal nature of the assignment, further undermining his defense.
After deliberating for over 17 hours, the jury returned a guilty verdict for conspiracy to commit murder. Sentencing will be determined in a subsequent hearing scheduled for October. The case has drawn significant attention due to the international connections of the criminal network involved, as well as the age of those recruited for such violent acts.
Law enforcement agencies continue their efforts to dismantle the Foxtrot network and prevent similar incidents. The outcome of this case underscores the ongoing challenges of combating organized crime and the use of young individuals in violent conspiracies orchestrated across national borders.