Teenage hitman convicted of murder plot for Iran-backed gang

A teenage hitman from Norway, Johannes Kongsnes Natland, 19, has been found guilty by an Old Bailey jury of conspiracy to murder. He was arrested in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, after police seized two firearms, 12 live rounds of ammunition, and £2,000 in cash. Natland is due to be sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court by Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb.

Recruitment and Arrival in the UK

The court heard that Natland was recruited by a teenager known as “Generalen”, who was reportedly working for the proscribed Swedish Foxtrot gang, understood to be backed by the Iranian regime. Natland travelled to the UK on a temporary passport from Stavanger, Norway, on March 17 last year. He was stopped by Border Force officials at Manchester Airport but was bailed to return home. Instead, he travelled to Huddersfield, where he collected £2,000 and the weapons.

During his time in a hotel room in Huddersfield, Natland reportedly bragged to his girlfriend about having the weapons and took photographs of himself with the cash and guns. Armed police arrested him at the Briar Court Hotel on March 19 last year. He admitted possessing the firearms and ammunition but claimed he was in a difficult situation and would have shot himself in the foot to escape it.

Trial and Conviction

Jurors heard that Natland had made repeated false statements after his arrest and attempted to influence his girlfriend’s testimony. The jury found him guilty of conspiracy to murder following a retrial. The prosecution presented evidence that Natland was controlled by an English-speaking individual known as “Agent 47”, a name apparently referencing the Hitman video game franchise. The identity and whereabouts of this controller are currently unknown.

Related Convictions and Investigations

Natland’s recruiter, “Generalen”, a 17-year-old, was convicted in Norway in May 2025 of attempting to contribute to murder. Norwegian police have charged three other individuals in connection with the case, with prosecutors yet to decide on indictments. Separately, a 27-year-old man arrested in September 2025 on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder has been released under investigation. Two other men were arrested in Bradford on May 20 on suspicion of handling stolen goods related to a car and were released on bail.

Natland told jurors he wanted to appear “cool” but was “terrified” and not an international assassin. He described his life deteriorating after becoming addicted to drugs, leading to rehabilitation and placement in a care home. He stated he planned to back out of the planned shooting, preferring to be seen as an “idiot” than face the alternative of being killed.