Overview
- An Old Bailey jury found 19‑year‑old Johannes Kongsnes Natland guilty of conspiracy to murder on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, after a retrial that followed an earlier hung jury.
- Natland was arrested in a Huddersfield hotel in March 2025 after flying from Stavanger and was found with a semi‑automatic pistol, a revolver, live rounds and about £2,000 in cash.
- Prosecutors said phone messages, CCTV and device forensics showed Natland was recruited through encrypted group chats to carry out a killing for about €25,000 and given instructions on where to collect weapons.
- Authorities say the plot was organised by the Sweden‑based Foxtrot Network, which the UK and US have sanctioned, and a 17‑year‑old recruiter known as “Generalen” was convicted in Norway for his role.
- Counter‑terrorism police say the investigation remains active, Natland is remanded pending an October sentencing hearing, and probes are focused on identifying the English‑speaking handler and disrupting remaining facilitators.