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A Norwegian teenager is on trial in London accused of travelling to the UK to carry out a contract killing on behalf of a Swedish organised crime network allegedly linked to Iran.
Prosecutors at the Central Criminal Court in England and Wales, known as the Old Bailey, say 19-year-old Johannes Natland flew from Norway to Britain in March 2024 after agreeing to commit the murder of an unidentified target in exchange for money.
They allege he was recruited by the Foxtrot Network, a Swedish criminal organisation which the prosecution says has been used by the Iranian regime.
According to prosecutor Alistair Richardson, Natland was arrested in a hotel room in Huddersfield, northern England, where police found a semi-automatic pistol, a revolver and live ammunition.
He has already pleaded guilty to firearms offences but denies plotting to murder an unknown victim.
The court heard investigators have not identified the intended target. However, prosecutors say messages recovered during the investigation, together with comments Natland allegedly made before leaving Norway, show he had travelled to Britain intending to carry out a killing.
Richardson told jurors that messages linked to the plot showed a figure using the online name “Agent 47” coordinating the operation.
Reports in British media say in one exchange, the court heard €25,000 was offered in exchange for an assassination.
Natland flew from Stavanger to Manchester on 17 March 2024 before travelling to Huddersfield, where he was arrested two days later.
The reports said Border Force officers had questioned him on arrival because he had only a small amount of money, no booked accommodation and no return flight.
It is alleged that soon after being allowed into the country, Natland collected weapons and cash, before being guided to a stolen car.
The Foxtrot criminal network was formed in the late 2010s and has been connected to dozens of violent crimes in Sweden.
The trial continues.
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