Key facts
- An 18-year-old Norwegian national, Johannes Natland, was arrested in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, on March 19.
- Natland allegedly flew from Stavanger to the UK two days prior to carry out an assassination.
- He is accused of being recruited by the Swedish Foxtrot Network, allegedly linked to an Iran-linked organized crime network.
- During his arrest, Natland joked with armed police and mimicked shooting an officer.
- Officers found a semi-automatic pistol, a revolver, 12 rounds of ammunition, and £2,000 in cash in his hotel room.
- Natland has pleaded guilty to possessing firearms but denies conspiracy to murder.
Johannes Natland, an 18-year-old Norwegian national, was arrested in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, on March 19. He had flown to the UK from Stavanger two days prior, allegedly to carry out an assassination for an Iran-linked organized crime network. During the arrest, captured on body-worn camera, Natland appeared relaxed, joking with armed police and mimicking shooting an officer. He asked one officer, "You happy Kev? Please say you’re happy Kev. Give me a smile Kev. You smiling?" Officers found a semi-automatic pistol, a revolver, 12 rounds of live ammunition, and £2,000 in cash in his hotel room. The Old Bailey heard Natland expected to be paid over £20,000 for the job and had messaged his girlfriend about his intention to "finally kill someone." He was allegedly recruited by the Swedish Foxtrot Network, known for recruiting young individuals for criminal operations. Natland has pleaded guilty to possessing the firearms but denies conspiracy to murder, with the trial ongoing.