A Norwegian teenager, who prosecutors say was recruited by a Swedish criminal group linked to the Islamic Republic of Iran to carry out a contract killing, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder in Britain.

Johannes Nattland, 19, was arrested in March 2025 in a hotel room in Huddersfield, in northern England, with two firearms ready to fire and 19 rounds of military ammunition. He admitted the charge of possessing firearms and ammunition, but denied the charge of conspiracy to commit murder.

After more than 17 hours of deliberation, the jury at the Old Bailey unanimously convicted him.

Alistair Richardson, the prosecutor in the case, said that Nattland had been recruited by the Foxtrot network. According to the prosecution, this network is an organized Swedish criminal group linked to the Iranian government, which has been sanctioned by Britain and the United States.

In his defense, Nattland said he had no intention of carrying out an attack and instead wanted to shoot himself. He told the court he had found himself in a “very difficult situation.”