Three Stavanger teenagers charged over England murder plot

Three teenagers from Stavanger have been charged with aiding a planned murder in England allegedly carried out on behalf of the criminal Foxtrot network, Dagbladet reports. All three deny criminal responsibility.

The charges come shortly after a Norwegian 19-year-old was found guilty in a British court of planning the murder. The attack was never carried out because British police arrested him in a hotel room in England before it could take place.

According to Stavanger Aftenblad, prosecutors believe the three teenagers assisted the 19-year-old in different ways. They have all been charged with aiding attempted murder and under the so-called mafia provision, because prosecutors allege the assignment was undertaken on behalf of the Foxtrot network.

Allegedly transferred money

The indictment alleges that one of the defendants, now 19, transferred several thousand Norwegian kroner through Vipps to the man who later travelled to England.

His lawyer, Ørjan Eskeland, said the defendant denies the charges.

“He does not admit criminal responsibility,” Eskeland told Dagbladet. He said the money had an explanation that his client had given to police, but declined to discuss it before the case reaches court.

Help with emergency passport

Another defendant, now 18, is accused of helping the 19-year-old obtain an emergency passport, according to the indictment.

Prosecutors also allege that he asked in messages whether a weapon had been tested and wrote “come on” after receiving a response. His lawyer, Hans Marius Thorsnæs, said the defendant denies the allegations and declined to comment further because of his age and the seriousness of the case.

Allegedly relayed the assignment

The youngest defendant, a 17-year-old boy from Stavanger, is accused of relaying the murder assignment to the 19-year-old who later travelled to England.

Prosecutors allege that he did so on behalf of “Lukas”, a teenager described as a central figure in the wider case linked to the Foxtrot network. The 17-year-old’s lawyer, Evelyn Egeli, also said he denies criminal responsibility.

The three teenagers had been under investigation for an extended period. The case has now been sent to court after the state attorney filed charges.

The case will be heard by the Sør-Rogaland District Court in the autumn. Prosecutors want both “Lukas” and the 19-year-old previously convicted in England to give evidence. If the latter agrees, he is expected to testify by video link from England.