Old Bailey convicts Norwegian man in Iranian-linked UK murder plot

A Norwegian national has been convicted of plotting to assassinate an unidentified person in the UK after a trial at the Old Bailey. Johannes Kongsnes Natland, 19, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder on 12 September 2026. The jury rejected his claim that he intended to injure himself to avoid repercussions from the Foxtrot Network, a criminal group with ties to the Iranian regime.

Natland was arrested in Huddersfield in the early hours of 19 March 2025. Police found two firearms, a semi-automatic pistol and a revolver, and 19 rounds of ammunition hidden under his bed in a hotel room. He had arrived at Manchester Airport two days earlier, following instructions sent by an individual using the username ‘Agent 47’.

Digital evidence and international cooperation

Counter Terrorism Policing London (CTP London) led the investigation, supported by West Yorkshire Police and Norwegian authorities. CCTV footage showed Natland travelling by taxi to a wooded area in Huddersfield, where he retrieved the firearms from a pre-arranged location. Messages on his phone included maps, images, and videos detailing the pickup site.

Digital communications revealed that Natland had been recruited while in Norway. He was offered €25,000 to carry out the assassination and was instructed on which flight to take to the UK. Once in Huddersfield, he collected money from a specified address before checking into a hotel. Throughout his stay, he exchanged messages with friends in Norway, including photographs of the weapons.

Natland told the court he planned to shoot himself in the foot to avoid carrying out the killing. The jury, however, convicted him after reviewing the evidence, which included his admission to possessing the firearms. Commander Helen Flanagan of CTP London said the investigation had prevented a murder and removed lethal weapons from circulation.

Ongoing investigation and upcoming sentencing

The investigation remains active. In September 2025, a 27-year-old man was arrested in London on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder but was later released under investigation. Two further arrests took place in Bradford on 20 May 2026, where two men, aged 30 and 27, were detained on suspicion of handling stolen goods. They were released on bail pending further enquiries.

Natland, who pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing firearms and ammunition, will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on 15 October 2026. The identity of the intended target has not been disclosed by police.