The mother of 19-year-old Johannes Natland, who traveled to the UK from Norway on a mission for a Swedish gang, has shared insights about his time in prison. Natland was apprehended by the police in a Huddersfield hotel room in possession of two firearms and 19 rounds of ammunition. The Old Bailey revealed that he was enlisted by the Foxtrot Network to engage in illicit activities linked to the Iranian regime.
The identity of the murder target from the sanctioned Scandinavian group remains undisclosed. Following a retrial, Natland received a unanimous guilty verdict from the jury after more than 17 hours of deliberation. Despite the verdict, he displayed no emotion in court.
Natland admitted to possessing the firearms and ammunition but denied the conspiracy charge. Investigations by CTP London officers uncovered substantial evidence indicating his awareness of the intended murder. During his testimony, Natland claimed he planned to harm himself rather than carry out the assassination. However, the jury convicted him of conspiracy to commit murder after reviewing the trial evidence.
Natland’s sentencing is scheduled for October at the Old Bailey. His mother, Ellen, expressed hope for his transfer back to Norway to serve his sentence, citing concerns about the UK prison conditions and emphasizing her son’s non-involvement with English gangs.
Ellen described Johannes as fearful of a potential lengthy sentence, detailing the challenging treatment he has faced. Commander Helen Flanagan of CTP London commended the swift action of their officers, along with support from West Yorkshire Police and CTP North East, in preventing the planned murder. The collaborative efforts with international law enforcement partners were highlighted as crucial in combating transnational criminal organizations. The investigation not only thwarted a potential assassination but also removed two lethal weapons and ammunition from criminal circulation, enhancing public safety.