Norwegian teen footballer hitman guilty of UK murder plot linked to Iran gang

Following a retrial, Natland showed no emotion as the jury brought in a unanimous guilty verdict after deliberating for just over 17 hours.

A Norwegian teenager was convicted in a London court on Wednesday of traveling to Britain to carry out a contract killing on behalf of an international crime gang linked to Iran.

Johannes Kongsnes Natland, 19, travelled to Britain in March 2025 to shoot the unknown target for €25,000 (£21,500).

Johannes Natland, now 19, was arrested in a hotel room in Huddersfield, northern England, in March last year with two firearms and ammunition in his possession.