Crime & Justice
Norwegian teen sentenced to 20 years for UK murder plot tied to Iran-linked network
October 16, 2026 at 12:28 PM
Coverage
3 reports · over 2 hours
TGThe Guardian
Norwegian teenage hitman hired for UK murder by Iran-backed crime gang jailed for 20 years
(opens the publisher’s site)
CNCNN
Norwegian teen sentenced to 20 years for UK murder plot tied to Iran-linked group
(opens the publisher’s site)
BNBBC News
Norwegian teen 'hitman' Johannes Natland detained for UK murder plot
(opens the publisher’s site)A Norwegian teenager convicted of planning a murder in Britain for an Iran-linked Swedish crime network has been sentenced to 20 years' detention.
- Natland was sentenced at London's Woolwich Crown Court on Friday to 20 years' detention.
- He admitted possessing a semi-automatic pistol, a revolver and ammunition but was convicted in July of conspiracy to murder after a retrial.
- Arrested in a Huddersfield hotel room in March 2025 with two firearms and 19 rounds of live ammunition.
- Prosecutors said Natland was recruited by the Foxtrot Network, a Swedish organized crime group backed by the Iranian state and sanctioned by Britain and the US.
- The court heard Natland had been hired by the Foxtrot network to shoot an unknown target for €25,000.
- He traveled from Norway to the UK in March 2025 for the planned attack.