Norwegian Teen Found Guilty in Iran-linked Murder Conspiracy
WHO:
ABC News - Johannes Kongsnes Natland, a 19-year-old Norwegian teenager, was convicted.
ABC News - The Foxtrot Network, a Swedish organized crime group linked to Iran, was involved in the conspiracy.
ABC News - A 17-year-old known as “Generalen” hired Natland for the murder plot.
ABC News - A 16-year-old is awaiting trial in Norway for his role in the conspiracy.
WHAT:
CNN - Natland told his girlfriend he was “going on a crazy mission” before traveling to the UK.
CNN - After collecting the weapons, Natland messaged his girlfriend to say “in the bag is bang” and sent her a selfie holding a firearm, captioned “soon it will happen.”
CNN - Natland was arrested by specialist firearms officers in his hotel room on March 19, 2025.
CBS News - Natland was found guilty of an assassination plot.
ABC News - Natland agreed to shoot an unknown person for 25,000 euros ($28,000).
ABC News - Natland was arrested at a hotel in Huddersfield with two guns and ammunition.
ABC News - A jury at Central London Criminal Court found Natland guilty of conspiracy to murder after deliberating for more than 17 hours.
WHERE:
ABC News - The conviction took place in a London court.
ABC News - Natland was arrested in Huddersfield, northern England.
WHEN:
ABC News - The conviction occurred on a Wednesday.
ABC News - Natland traveled to Britain in March last year.
WHY:
CNN - Frank Ferguson, head of the CPS’ special crime and counterterrorism division, described the plot as a “calculated plan to kill for money.”
ABC News - The murder plot was ordered by an international crime gang linked to Iran.
HOW:
ABC News - Natland sent selfies with weapons to his girlfriend and friends as part of the plot.
ABC News - Counterterrorism officers uncovered evidence that Natland was aware he was being asked to kill someone in the UK.
(UPDATED July 29, 2026 19:29 UTC)
Natland was arrested by specialist firearms officers in his hotel room after he had told his girlfriend he was “going on a crazy mission” and messaged her about collecting weapons, even sending a selfie with a firearm. Frank Ferguson, head of the CPS’ special crime and counterterrorism division, described the plot as a “calculated plan to kill for money.” The incident took place on March 19, 2025, raising serious concerns about the intentions behind Natland's actions.
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(UPDATED July 29, 2026 17:27 UTC)
A 19-year-old Norwegian teenager named Johannes Kongsnes Natland has been convicted in a London court for his role in an assassination plot orchestrated by the Foxtrot Network, a Swedish organized crime group linked to Iran. Natland was found guilty of conspiracy to murder after a jury deliberated for more than 17 hours, having agreed to carry out the hit for 25,000 euros, and was arrested in Huddersfield with two guns and ammunition. Evidence revealed that he sent selfies with weapons to his girlfriend and friends, indicating he was aware of the deadly task he was being asked to perform in the UK.