Jury fails to reach verdict in Norwegian ‘hitman’ trial

Thu Jun 18 2026 18:05:39 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A jury in London could not reach a verdict for a Norwegian teenager accused of pulling a hit for an Iran‑backed gang, leaving the case in limbo.

A 19‑year‑old Norwegian man was tried in a UK court for allegedly traveling to England to execute a murder for a gang linked to Iran. Parliament‑licensed Swiss‑origin firearms and bullets were seized during his arrest in Huddersfield. He admitted owning the weapons but denied the murder conspiracy, and the Crown intends a retrial. After 14 hours of deliberation, the jury failed to reach a verdict and was discharged. The case now sits on remand awaiting further proceedings.

Jury fails to reach verdict in Norwegian ‘hitman’ trial

A jury in a London court could not reach a verdict in the trial of 19‑year‑old Johannes Kongsnes Natland, accused of travelling to England to carry out a hit for an international crime gang linked to Iran.

Natland allegedly agreed with the Swedish gang known as the Foxes to shoot a target in exchange for 25,000 euros (about 21,500 pounds). Two days after arriving in the UK, armed police seized two guns and 12 live bullets when he was arrested at a hotel in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.

He admitted possession of the firearms and ammunition but denied any conspiracy to murder. Prosecutors said the Crown would seek a retrial, and Natland was remanded into custody.

The jury retired to deliberate on Tuesday morning and, after 14 hours and 43 minutes of discussion, was discharged by Mr Justice Lavender when it failed to reach a verdict.

Court sketch of Johannes Kongsnes Natland