Norwegian teen arrested in UK hotel over national security case

A Norwegian teenager has been arrested in a West Yorkshire hotel room and charged with firearms offences in a case connected to national security, the BBC can reveal.

Johannes Kongsnes Natland, 18, was arrested by firearms officers in Huddersfield on 19 March.

He had flown into Manchester Airport two days earlier from Stavanjer, Norway.

The Metropolitan Police said counter-terrorism detectives are leading the investigation, but "the matter is not being treated as terrorist-related at this time".

Mr Natland is charged with possessing a Luger semi-automatic pistol, a revolver, and ammunition.

He was initially also arrested by West Yorkshire Police on suspicion of conspiracy to murder, but has not been charged with such an offence at this time.

In a statement, the Met Police said: "Due to various ongoing lines of inquiry - including a number of international enquiries relating to this - the investigation is being dealt with by detectives from Counter Terrorism Policing, although the matter is not being treated as terrorist-related at this time.

"Officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command are leading the investigation, with support from colleagues in North East CTP and West Yorkshire Police, and enquiries remain ongoing."

Mr Natland appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 21 March. He is next due to appear at the Old Bailey on 11 April.