Young footballer turned alleged hitman 'told friend somebody is going to die', court told
A talented Norwegian footballer turned alleged young hitman told a friend: “I’m going to get a lot of money and somebody is going to die”, a court has heard.
Johannes Kongsnes Natland, 19, is on trial at the Old Bailey accused of travelling from Norway to Manchester Airport on March 17 last year to carry out a “hit” for money.
Natland, from Stavanger in south-west Norway, was allegedly tasked by Foxtrot Network, a Swedish organised crime group used by the Iranian regime.
He was thwarted by police who arrested him at a hotel in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, two days after arriving in Britain, jurors have heard.
Officers found a semi-automatic pistol, a revolver, and 12 rounds of live ammunition, which he has admitted having.
On Thursday, Natland’s former schoolfriend Lucas Oftedal described meeting him in the street on March 15 last year as he and his friends were on their way to a house party.
Mr Oftedal said he had not seen his friend for a while but he looked “healthy” and “sober”.
When he asked him how he had been, the first thing Natland allegedly said was: “Have you heard of the foxes?”
Mr Oftedal said : “I was kind of stunned (and asked) what do you mean? the Swedish foxes? Foxtrot Swedish gang?
“I don’t remember the exact words. It was ‘I’m going to get a lot of money and somebody is going to die’.”
Natland did not really reply and they said their goodbyes, the court was told.
Later they exchanged a series of messages in which Mr Oftedal warned: “Yo, hope it’s not you carrying out the task. Severe punishment. Be careful.
Natland replied: “But bloody hell don’t talk about this to anyone outside you lot. Tell the others as well.”
Mr Oftedal told him: “Yes, will do. No stress, this will not get out,” and Natland exclaimed: “Intense.”
Later that evening Mr Oftedal asked: “Yo, what is your mission. Will not pass it on but can you say what’s involved?”
Natland replied: “When I’m back,” and Mr Oftedal messaged back “ok” with thumbs up, the court was told.
Under cross-examining, the witness said he had known Natland from school for about four or five years and had counted him as a friend.
Paul Hynes KC questioned the witness on his description of Natland as “healthy and sober” on the evening of the party
Mr Oftedal told jurors that Natland had been “struggling” with drugs for a while in the past and spent time in rehab.
Before that, he had been a good, popular student and a talented sportsman and member of a local football club.
Over time, his behaviour had changed and he would run out of school, returning with “red eyes” and “obviously not sober”.
Asked how he had changed, he said: “His temperament. It was easier for him to lash out and be angry. He was often a bit down, not like his normal happy self.”
He told jurors that Natland would take Xanax, marijuana, alcohol, opiates and cocaine, although he had no personal knowledge of what he was consuming all the time.
Mr Hynes said it was not disputed that Natland had said something along the lines of “have you heard of the foxes?”
The witness told jurors that he understood it to be a reference to a “dangerous” Swedish gang he had heard about on the news.
Asked if he thought Natland was trying to “look cool” when he talked about getting money and somebody going to die, he said: “I don’t think so. I wasn’t sure what to believe, I remember thinking that it’s serious.”
Mr Oftedal said he had believed what his friend had said and that his group of friends had been “very concerned” when they discussed it.
He added: “I’m not sure how many heard it but I’m pretty sure a couple of them must have heard what he said.
“I was standing with him and my friends were right behind me, half a metre. Someone must have heard it.”
Mr Hynes asked: “Did you ever consider you should report the conversation to authorities?”
The witness replied: “I had considered it, yes.”
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?
Mr Oftedal, 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 thought he was still involved with it at the time.
The witness gave evidence at the Old Bailey in fluent English without the need of an interpreter.
Natland denies conspiracy to murder but has admitted possession of the two firearms and ammunition.
The Old Bailey trial continues.