Norwegian teenager locked up for 20 years over UK murder plot

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 13:02 · Archive

A 19-year-old Norwegian travelled to Huddersfield to carry out a murder for an Iran-backed gang but was arrested before the killing.

Johannes Kongsnes Natland, 19, from Stavanger, Norway, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after travelling to Huddersfield to carry out a murder for an Iran-backed gang. He arrived at Briar Court Hotel in March last year where he collected £2,000 in cash, a semi-automatic pistol, a revolver and 12 rounds of live ammunition. Armed officers raided his hotel room two days after his arrival and arrested him before any killing took place.

Natland admitted possession of the firearms and ammunition but claimed he would have shot himself to escape the "pickle" he was in. A jury deliberated for 17 hours and six minutes before finding him guilty of conspiracy to murder following a retrial in July.

Natland was recruited by a 17-year-old known as "Generalen", who was working for the Swedish Foxtrot gang, a proscribed organisation backed by the Iranian regime. "Generalen" was convicted in Norway in May last year of attempting to contribute to murder. The gang is known for deploying children as young as 13 in drug smuggling and violent crimes. Natland was controlled by an English-speaking superior called "Agent 47", apparently referencing the Hitman gaming and movie franchise. He was on his way to the UK when he heard via a group chat that Generalen had been arrested for conspiracy to murder but travelled anyway, taking a flight from Manchester Airport on a temporary passport in March.

How it is being reported

• 'International hitman' found in his pants in Huddersfield hotel sentenced over 'pickle'Norwegian teenager Johannes Kongsnes Natland has been sentenced after his 'crazy mission'.Huddersfield Examiner · 16 Oct, 12:25
• Teenage hitman from Norway arrested at Huddersfield hotel locked up for plotting UK murder for Iran-backed gangJohannes Kongsnes Natland, 19, agreed to shoot an unknown target for 25,000 eurosYorkshire Post · 16 Oct, 12:13

In this story: Johannes Kongsnes Natland · Generalen · Agent 47 · Foxtrot gang · Huddersfield · Norway · Iran · Sweden

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