Footballer Johannes Natland, 19, travelled to the UK to carry out an assassination and has now been convicted of a conspiracy to commit murder after a Counter Terrorism Police investigation17:50, 29 Jul 2026Updated 17:50, 29 Jul 2026Norwegian hitman guilty of murder plot for gang linked to IranA teenager who travelled to Britain from Norway to carry out a "hit" for a Swedish gang has been found guilty of conspiracy to murder.Johannes Natland was thwarted when police swooped to arrest him in a hotel room in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, after being found to be in possession of two firearms and 19 rounds of ammunition. The Old Bailey heard how the talented footballer, 19, had been tasked by organised crime group Foxtrot Network to carry out criminal activity on behalf of the Iranian regime.The murder target of the Scandinavian group, which has been sanctioned by the UK government, has never been identified. Following a retrial, Natland heard the jury's unanimous guilty verdict today after they deliberated for more than 17 hours. He showed no emotion in the dock as the decision was read out.Natland pleaded guilty to possession of the firearms and ammunition, but had denied the conspiracy charge. CTP London officers uncovered a significant amount of evidence demonstrating that he was fully aware he was being asked to kill someone in the UK.Prosecutor Alistair Richardson said during the trial that the teenage was "recruited" by the Foxtrot Network, which was described as a Swedish organised crime group, backed by the Iranian regime. It is well known for hiring young killers that Europol has called "violence-as-a-service".Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said: “Due to the swift and professional work of CTP London officers, supported by officers from West Yorkshire Police and CTP North East, Natland was arrested before he was able to carry out a murder in the UK.“This investigation highlights the importance of the strong links with our international law enforcement partners to counter the very real threat of criminal organisations across European borders. We’ve worked particularly closely with colleagues from Norwegian law enforcement authorities and as a result, we have stopped somebody from being assassinated here in the UK.“Our investigation, which remains ongoing, has also resulted in two lethal weapons and ammunition being taken out of criminal hands and off the streets of the UK which has undoubtedly made the public safer.”He was arrested in in March 2025 and a bag containing two guns - a semi-automatic pistol and a revolver - and bullets was discovered inside a plastic bag under his bed. He had arrived at Manchester Airport on an emergency passport two days earlier.Natland was only prevented from carrying out the hit because Norwegian police arrested the teenager who had recruited him and alerted the UK force.During the trial, jurors viewed bodycam footage of armed police arresting Natland at Briar Court Hotel in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, 48 hours after his arrival in the UK. At 5.15am on March 19 last year, officers knocked loudly on his hotel room door saying: “It’s the police, come to the door.”Natland came out wearing only a pair of boxer shorts and rubbing his eyes as if he had just woken up.He turned to one of the officers and held his hands up, imitating holding a gun and pretending to shoot him with his empty hands.Another officer immediately took hold of the defendant’s left hand, put him against the wall and he was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder.Asked if there were any weapons in his room, he shook his head slightly.The footage captured an exchange with one of the officers in which a smiling Natland asked if he was “happy”, saying in Norwegian: “That was fun, like.”He had travelled on a temporary Norwegian passport, he was stopped and spoken to by a Border Force officer.‌He told the officer he had come to the UK with just £40 to “visit friends” who he knew online from playing Fortnite and Fifa, the court heard.Natland was taken to Huddersfield police station where he spoke to a nurse about his history of cannabis use.After a police interview in which he answered no comment, Natland was escorted back to the custody desk and while waiting to be taken back to a cell, gesticulated with his finger to an officer and said: “Sneaky sneaky.”Article continues belowA Counter Terrorism Police investigation remains ongoing. In September 2025, a 27-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder. He has subsequently been released under investigation.Two men, aged 30 and 27, were arrested in Bradford on 20 May on suspicion of handling stolen goods (a car). They were taken into custody before being released on bail.