Jury Fails to Reach Verdict in Norwegian ‘Hitman’ Trial


A jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict in the case against 19‑year‑old Johannes Kongsnes Natland, who faces charges of conspiring to kill an unknown target in England on behalf of a crime gang backed by Iran.


Natland allegedly agreed with the Swedish gang “Foxes” to carry out the shooting in March last year for €25,000. Two days after arriving in the UK, armed police arrested him in a Huddersfield hotel, seizing two guns and 12 live rounds.


He admitted to possessing firearms and ammunition but denied any conspiracy to murder. Prosecutors plan to request a retrial and have remanded Natland into custody.


After 14 hours and 43 minutes of deliberation, the senior judge discharged the jury, citing the failure to reach a majority opinion. The decision follows a brief majority direction from Mr Justice Lavender earlier in the day.


Court sketch of the accused

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