A 19-year-old man from Norway, Johannes Natland, is accused of travelling to the UK to carry out a murder on behalf of an organised crime group allegedly linked to Iran, a court has heard. Prosecutors say Natland travelled from Stavanger to Britain and was tasked with killing an unnamed target “in return for money.” Sky News reports the court was told he was sent to murder an unknown target for a group described as being used by the Iranian regime. The Mirror also reports he was arrested after arriving at Manchester Airport and that he initially claimed he was visiting to “see landmarks.”
Additional testimony described in the reports includes allegations about his recruitment and communications before travel. The court is said to have heard that Natland told a girlfriend he wanted to kill someone and that he would “celebrate” if he was not caught. Prosecutors also allege he agreed to be paid £21,000, which he planned to use, according to the reporting, to buy drugs. The case is heard at London’s Old Bailey.
