In brief
A 19‑year‑old Norwegian man faces charges for agreeing to murder a target for an Iranian‑backed crime gang. Arrested in Huddersfield, he was found with two guns and twelve live rounds. Despite admitting the possession of weapons, he denied murder conspiracy. The jury could not reach a verdict after 14 hours and 43 minutes of deliberation, leading the judge to discharge the panel and remand the defendant into custody for a retrial. The case illustrates the complexity of international criminal collaboration.
In a courtroom in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, a jury could not reach a verdict against 19‑year‑old Johannes Kongsnes Natland, who faced charges linked to a murder plot orchestrated by the Swedish Foxes gang under the patronage of Iran.
Natland agreed to kill an alleged target in March 2022 for a price of 25 000 euros (£21,500). Two days after arriving in England, he was arrested by armed police in a hotel and authorities seized two firearms and twelve live rounds.
He admitted that he possessed the guns but denied involvement in the murder plot. Prosecutors are seeking a retrial and have remanded him back into custody.
The jury was given a majority direction and, after 14 hours and 43 minutes of deliberation, the senior judge discharged the panel at 15:00 BST on Tuesday.
The case highlights cross‑border criminal cooperation and the challenges courts face when dealing with international hit‑man allegations. A retrial will convene at a later date, with his legal team preparing a defence.
