Footballer accused of travelling to UK as hitman ‘told friend somebody is going to die’

It is alleged that the young Norwegian football player, who is accused of being a hitman, said to a friend, “I will get a lot of money and someone will die.”

Johannes Kongsnes Natland, 19, is on trial accused of traveling from Norway to Manchester Airport to perform “hits” for money on March 17 last year.

Natland, from Stavanger in southwestern Norway, was allegedly recruited by the Foxtrot Network, a Swedish organized crime group used by the Iranian regime.

But police arrested him at a hotel in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, two days after he arrived in the UK, the Old Bailey heard. They found a semi-automatic pistol, a revolver and 12 rounds of live ammunition on him.

Officers found what he admitted was a semi-automatic handgun, a revolver and 12 live rounds.

A former schoolmate named Lucas Oftedal told Thursday how he met Natland on the street on March 15 last year on his way to a house party.

He said Natland looked “healthy” and “sober,” but the first thing Natland allegedly asked was: “Have you heard of foxes?”

Oftedal, who realized this by referring to a “dangerous” gang he had seen on the news, said: “I was a bit stunned [and asked] What do you want to say? Swedish foxes? Foxtrot Swedish gang?

“I don’t remember the exact words. It was ‘I’m going to get a lot of money and someone is going to die.'”

They later exchanged messages and Mr Oftedal warned: “I hope you’re not the one doing this task. Heavy penalty. Be careful.”

Natland asked her not to talk to anyone else about it and did not give further details about what she meant.

Mr Oftedal told the court he had known Natland from school for about four or five years and considered him a friend.

He said Natland had “struggled” with drugs for some time in the past and had spent time in rehab, but had previously been a talented athlete and popular student.

Asked how Paul Hynes KC had changed over time, Mr Oftedal said: “His temperament. It was easier for him to lash out and get angry. He was a bit down a lot of the time, not his normal happy self.”

He told jurors that Natland would take Xanax, marijuana, alcohol, opium and cocaine, but he did not always have personal knowledge of what he was consuming.

Natland’s “have you heard of foxes?” No doubt he said something similar.

Paul Hynes responded to KC’s question about whether he thought Natland was trying to “look cool”: “I don’t think so. I wasn’t sure what to believe, I remember thinking it was serious.”

Mr Oftedal said the group of friends were “very concerned” when they discussed the matter and that he was considering reporting the conversation to the authorities.

Anders Kallevag, who played football with Natland and Mr Oftedal, gave evidence via video link from Norway.

He recalled the conversation on March 15: “What I heard was ‘someone is going to die tonight, you know the Swedish Foxes.’

He said he was standing four or five meters away at the time but clearly overheard Natland comment: “Someone’s going to die tonight, you know the Swedish Foxes.”

Natland’s on-and-off girlfriend, Sara Solbi, also told jurors through a translator how Natland texted her: “I’m going on a crazy mission.”

He asked to meet, saying he had “crazy information to share” but wouldn’t tell them over the phone.

Asked by prosecutor Alistair Richardson how she felt about this, Ms Solbi said: “I wasn’t happy about it.”

Natland denies conspiracy to murder but admits possession of two firearms and ammunition. The Old Bailey trial continues.