The mother of Johannes Natland, the 19-year-old Norwegian who traveled to Britain to carry out a hit for a Swedish gang, has revealed he is treated "like an animal" in prison and hopes he can be transferred to serve his sentence in his homeland.
Guilty verdict and sentencing
Natland was found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder following a retrial at the Old Bailey. The jury delivered a unanimous verdict after deliberating for more than 17 hours. He showed no emotion as the decision was read out. He is due to be sentenced in October.
Natland had pleaded guilty to possession of firearms and ammunition but denied the conspiracy charge. He was arrested in a hotel room in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, after police found him with two firearms and 19 rounds of ammunition.
Mother's concerns
His mother, Ellen, told MailOnline: "The [prison] conditions [in the UK] are very different from in Norway. Johannes keeps his head down and has spent a lot of time saying, 'I'm Norwegian,' so not a part of any of the [English] gangs."
She added that Johannes is "scared to death" of a potentially lengthy sentence and said: "Johannes is treated more like an animal already. It is crazy. All of us are crushed. Our son is not a violent person, he has no criminal record, he has never harmed anyone and would never do so."
Investigation and police response
The court heard how the talented footballer was tasked by organised crime group Foxtrot Network to carry out criminal activity on behalf of the Iranian regime. The murder target has never been identified.
Commander Helen Flanagan, head of CTP London, said: "Due to the swift and professional work of CTP London officers, supported by officers from West Yorkshire Police and CTP North East, Natland was arrested before he was able to carry out a murder in the UK.
"This investigation highlights the importance of the strong links with our international law enforcement partners to counter the very real threat of criminal organisations across European borders. We've worked particularly closely with colleagues from Norwegian law enforcement authorities and as a result, we have stopped somebody from being assassinated here in the UK.
"Our investigation, which remains ongoing, has also resulted in two lethal weapons and ammunition being taken out of criminal hands and off the streets of the UK which has undoubtedly made the public safer."
