Norwegian Teen Linked to Swedish Crime Group in Alleged UK Murder Plot
Details Emerge in London Court Over Alleged Murder-for-Hire Scheme
Background of the Case
LONDON, June 3 (Reuters) - A Norwegian teenager travelled to Britain to carry out a murder in return for money, having been recruited by a Swedish organised crime group used by the Iranian government, British prosecutors told a London court on Wednesday.
Johannes Natland, now 19, was arrested in a hotel room in Huddersfield in northern England in March last year in possession of two firearms and ammunition, prosecutor Alistair Richardson told London's Old Bailey Court.
Recruitment and Alleged Motive
"He had been recruited by an organisation called the Foxtrot Network to an agreement that in return for money he would travel here and undertake a hit," Richardson said.
"The group that had recruited him, the Foxtrot Network, is a Swedish organised crime group used by the Iranian regime."
Charges and Pleas
Natland denies a charge of conspiracy to murder an unknown person.
Richardson told the jury that Natland had already pleaded guilty to possessing a semi-automatic pistol, a revolver and live ammunition in October.
Evidence Presented in Court
Communications and Planning
"We do not know who the defendant was planning to murder, but as you will see from his messages, the messages of others, and what he told his friends in Norway before he set out on his plan, it was clear that was his plan," he said.
The messages, the prosecutor told the court, showed a figure with the user name 'Agent 47' was in charge. In discussions with another individual about "getting an assassin", Agent 47 said there was 25,000 euros in the pot, Richardson said.
Change of Hitman
He told the court that the first person they had intended to commit the murder was having second thoughts and so they turned to Natland.
"This was a murder that needed to be completed," Richardson said.
Current Status of the Trial
The trial continues.
(Reporting by Michael Holden; editing by Sarah Young)
