Johannes Kongsnes Natland, a 19-year-old from Stavanger, Norway, has been convicted of conspiracy to murder after traveling to the United Kingdom to carry out an assassination ordered by a Swedish criminal network linked to Iran. Natland was arrested in March 2025 by armed police in a hotel room in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, where officers found two handguns, ammunition, and £2,000 in cash.
Natland’s case has shed light on the activities of the Foxtrot Network, a powerful Swedish-Iraqi crime syndicate led by Rawa Majid, known as the “Kurdish Fox,” which operates under Iranian protection. The gang is known for recruiting vulnerable teenagers to execute violent acts, a tactic sometimes described by law enforcement as “violence as a service.” Foxtrot has been implicated in multiple attacks across Scandinavia, including shootings targeting Israeli and Jewish interests in Europe.
The recruitment of Natland, an aspiring footballer and former high-achieving student, stemmed from his struggles with drug addiction and mental health issues. Beginning cannabis use at age 13 and later using drugs like cocaine and LSD, Natland’s behavior eventually led to psychotic episodes and time spent in a psychiatric unit and children’s care home. There, he came into contact with members of Foxtrot, including a teenage recruiter known as “Generalen” and a senior figure known as “Agent 47,” identified as Ali Shehab Ahmed, the gang’s second-in-command.
Communication intercepted by Norwegian authorities revealed how Natland was drawn into the network and promised a payment of approximately £21,000 to assassinate an unidentified target in the UK. He traveled to Manchester on a temporary passport and was initially denied entry but later allowed to proceed. Upon arrival, he received weapons, cash, and instructions to commit the killing. Natland told his girlfriend about his “crazy mission,” even sending photos of himself armed with a pistol before his arrest.
Authorities intercepted communications between gang members and had detained Generalen shortly before Natland’s arrest. Generalen, aged 17, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for orchestrating multiple murders and attempted murders in Scandinavia, including plots foiled in Norway and Sweden.
In court, Natland denied intending to carry out the assassination, claiming he had planned to sabotage the mission by injuring himself and portraying himself as a drug-addled youth coerced by fear of reprisal. Prosecutors described him as a dangerous individual who knowingly accepted the role of hitman. The jury deliberated for over 17 hours before delivering a guilty verdict. Natland’s sentencing is scheduled for October.
The Foxtrot Network continues to be a significant criminal presence in Scandinavia, despite high-profile arrests including that of Ali Shehab in Iraqi Kurdistan and another senior leader detained in Turkey last year. Its operations reportedly extend beyond Scandinavia, with this case marking the gang’s first known attempt to carry out an assassination on British soil.
The identity of Natland’s intended victim remains undisclosed, with investigations ongoing. Norwegian and British authorities continue to cooperate in addressing the influence of such networks exploiting young, vulnerable individuals for violent crimes across Europe.