Jury Unable to Reach Verdict in Norwegian 'Hitman' Trial
A jury in a high‑profile court in West Yorkshire could not agree on a verdict for Johannes Kongsnes Natland, a 19‑year‑old from Norway accused of organising a hit in the UK on behalf of an Iran‑backed organised crime group.
According to court records, Natland allegedly agreed with the Swedish gang known as the Foxes to shoot an unknown target for 25,000 euros, a sum that prosecutors said would translate to about £21,500. Two days after arriving in the UK, armed police raided a hotel in Huddersfield where he had been staying, seizing two guns and 12 live rounds.
While Natland confessed to possessing the firearms, he denied any role in planning a murder. Prosecutors told the court that the Crown would seek a retrial, and the defendant was remanded into custody during the proceedings.
The jury spent 14 hours and 43 minutes in deliberation before the judge decided to disband the panel, citing an inability to reach a majority agreement. Judge Mr Justice Lavender had earlier given a majority direction, but the jury ultimately could not align on the charges.
The trial highlights the ongoing challenge of prosecuting cross‑border crime involving organised networks. It also reflects mounting scrutiny of how far‑reaching criminal groups operate across Europe, and the UK’s role in confronting them.
