Allegations Against Norwegian Footballer
A skilled Norwegian footballer turned alleged hitman informed a friend that he was expecting to receive a substantial sum of money and that "somebody is going to die," a court was told.
Johannes Natland, 19, is currently on trial at the Old Bailey, accused of traveling from Norway to Manchester Airport on 17 March last year to execute a "hit" for a Swedish organised crime group linked to the Iranian regime.
He was intercepted by police and arrested at a hotel in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, two days after his arrival in the UK, according to the evidence presented to jurors.
Natland has admitted to possessing two operational firearms—a semi-automatic pistol and a revolver—along with 12 rounds of live ammunition. However, he denies the charge of conspiracy to murder.
Friend's Testimony and Drug Issues
Lucas Oftedal, a former schoolfriend of Natland, recounted meeting him on 15 March last year while he and his friends were heading to a house party.
Oftedal stated that he had not seen Natland for some time but observed that he appeared "healthy" and "sober."
The court had previously heard that Natland traveled on an emergency passport and proceeded to Huddersfield to retrieve two firearms and 12 rounds of live ammunition from a wooded area.
Oftedal informed jurors that Natland had been struggling with drug problems for a period.
"From what I know he was taking Xanax, weed and alcohol. I also heard opiates and cocaine.
"He overdosed at school a couple of times, he was not normal, coming back with red eyes and obviously not sober. He wasn't quite his normal happy self."
When Oftedal asked Natland how he had been, Natland replied with a cryptic reference:
"Have you heard of the foxes?"
Oftedal could not recall the exact words but quoted Natland as saying:
"I'm going to get a lot of money and somebody is going to die."
Later, they exchanged messages in which Oftedal warned:
"Yo, hope it's not you carrying out the task. Severe punishment. Be careful."
Natland responded:
"But bloody hell don't talk about this to anyone outside you lot. Tell the others as well."
Oftedal replied:
"Yes, will do. No stress, this will not get out."
Natland then exclaimed:
"Intense."
Later that evening, Oftedal inquired:
"Yo, what is your mission. Will not pass it on but can you say what's involved?"
Natland answered:
"When I'm back."
Oftedal responded with "ok" and a thumbs-up emoji, as the court was informed.
Background and Character Assessment
Under cross-examination, Oftedal stated he had known Natland from school for approximately four or five years and considered him a friend.
Natland had been a "good, popular" student, a talented sportsman, and a member of a local football club.
The defence barrister asked:
"Would you agree when you first met him he was quite a cool kid. By the time you met him on 15 March he was not popular?"
Oftedal, also from Stavanger, replied:
"I wouldn't say he was not popular but he was a guy with problems."
He told jurors that Natland had been a "well-regarded" footballer for a local club and believed he was still involved with it at the time.
Trial Status
The trial is ongoing and is expected to last about three weeks.
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