Norwegian teens face trial over UK murder plot

Three Norwegian teenagers appeared in court on Tuesday accused of helping plan a murder in Britain for the Swedish-based Foxtrot organised crime group.

The defendants, aged 17 to 19, are accused of helping 19-year-old Johannes Kongsnes Natland, another Norwegian teenager who was found guilty in Britain in July of conspiring to commit murder. The three deny the charges through their lawyers.

Natland had travelled to Britain in March 2025 to shoot an unknown target for 25,000 euros, but was arrested before he could carry out the killing.

One of the three teenagers on trial in Norway is accused of helping recruit Natland. Another is accused of accompanying him for his flight to Britain and encouraging him to carry out the killing. The third is charged with transferring him money.

London's Metropolitan Police has said Natland was tasked by Foxtrot, which the UK government has sanctioned and which has been tied to criminality on behalf of Iran. The network's reputed and wanted leader, Rawa Majid, has alleged ties to Tehran.

Jurors at London's Old Bailey found Natland guilty of conspiracy to commit murder in mid-July. He had admitted possessing firearms and ammunition but denied the conspiracy charge, and is due to be sentenced in October.

Natland's recruiter, a 17-year-old youth, was sentenced to 14 years in prison in Norway in June for three attempted murders and complicity in two Foxtrot-linked murders in Sweden. He is appealing the sentence.