Daniel Sandford

Jason Arday's family said they were still coming to terms with his death at a London vigil attended by more than 2,000 people. Speakers, including Diane Abbott, Simon Woolley and Misan Harriman, criticised what they described as a racist and cruel media campaign against the former Cambridge sociology professor. Arday, 41, denied plagiarism allegations, resigned on 5 August and was found dead in south London on 14 August, shortly after Cambridge announced an investigation into his appointment. Cambridge Chancellor Chris Smith said academic integrity should be examined rigorously while rejecting a racist campaign against Arday. A coroner is investigating the cause of death, while a petition calling for an inquiry into the media coverage has received more than 90,000 signatures.

The Foxtrot Network, a Swedish organized-crime group allegedly linked to Iran, is recruiting vulnerable teenagers through social media to carry out killings and attacks across Europe as part of a violence-as-a-service model. Teenagers are given gamified instructions, travel arrangements, weapons and payment promises, but are often arrested before receiving money. Cases involving Atilla Azimov in Sweden and Johannes Natland in the United Kingdom illustrate the network’s methods and the risks to inexperienced recruits. Europol’s OTF GRIMM task force has made more than 280 arrests across 11 countries, including the alleged recruiter Ali Shehad Ahmed, while Foxtrot leader Rawa Majid remains in Iran. Authorities warn that the model is spreading across Scandinavia, Northern Europe and the UK, and that rival networks continue to exploit teenagers for criminal and potentially politically motivated attacks.

The Foxtrot Network, a Swedish organized-crime group accused of providing “violence as a service,” recruits vulnerable teenagers through social media to carry out murders and attacks across Europe. The network has allegedly been linked to about 35 killings since 2022, drug-market disputes and attacks against Israeli targets, some reportedly ordered by Iran. The case of Norwegian teenager Johannes Natland illustrates how recruits receive gamified instructions, weapons and travel support before being arrested. A Europol-led task force involving 11 countries has made more than 280 arrests, including the suspected Foxtrot operative Ali Shehad Ahmed, but leader Rawa Majid remains in Iran and the network’s operational capacity is uncertain. Rival groups have adopted the same model, indicating that the threat continues to spread.

Criminal networks, particularly Sweden’s Foxtrot Network, are recruiting vulnerable teenagers through social media to carry out killings and attacks across Europe. Recruits receive instructions in a video-game-like format and are often arrested before receiving promised payment. The report highlights the cases of Atilla Azimov, who was convicted of killing the wrong target in Stockholm, and Norwegian teenager Johannes Natland, who was arrested in the United Kingdom while allegedly preparing a Foxtrot-organized murder. Investigators believe Foxtrot has been linked to around 35 killings and attacks on Israeli-related targets, with some operations allegedly conducted on behalf of Iran. Europol’s OTF GRIMM task force has made more than 280 arrests, including the alleged operative Ali Shehad Ahmed, but Foxtrot leader Rawa Majid remains at large in Tehran. Other criminal groups are adopting the same model, indicating that the threat remains widespread across northern Europe.

Johannes Natland, a 19-year-old Norwegian, was convicted at the Old Bailey of conspiring to murder after travelling to Huddersfield with two guns and ammunition for a contract killing commissioned by Sweden-linked organised crime group Foxtrot Network. The plot was uncovered after Norwegian police arrested the teenager who recruited him and found messages on his phone, enabling UK Counter Terrorism Policing to arrest Natland before anyone was harmed. The case highlights the cross-border recruitment of vulnerable teenagers for “violence-as-a-service”; Natland, who admitted firearms offences but denied the conspiracy, is due to be sentenced in October.

Two Romanian men, Nandito Badea and George Stana, were sentenced at the Old Bailey to eight and twelve years in prison for a knife attack on journalist Pouria Zeraati in Wimbledon, which the judge concluded was carried out on behalf of the Iranian regime. Evidence showed the attack involved extensive surveillance and was part of a broader pattern of intimidation against Iran International journalists. Zeraati suffered multiple stab wounds and significant psychological impact. UK authorities extradited the attackers after they fled to Geneva, and officials condemned the act as foreign-state-directed violence. Lawyers for the defendants argued the men were unaware of Iran’s involvement, but the court rejected this for Stana and deemed the attack planned for at least a year. Counter Terrorism Policing warned of increased use of proxies by hostile states to conduct operations in the UK.

Two Romanian men, Nandito Badea and George Stana, were sentenced at the Old Bailey for a knife attack on journalist Pouria Zeraati, which the judge ruled was carried out on behalf of the Iranian regime. Zeraati, a presenter for Iran International, suffered multiple stab wounds and has since faced ongoing fear and disruption to his life. The attack was found to be planned for at least a year, involving surveillance and a getaway to Geneva. UK authorities extradited the attackers, while a third suspect remains in Romania. Officials condemned the incident as part of a wider campaign of intimidation by Iran, with police warning of hostile states using proxies for criminal activity.

The Court of Appeal replaced non-custodial sentences for two boys convicted of raping two teenage girls in Fordingbridge with four-year detention orders, ruling the original Youth Rehabilitation Orders were unduly lenient and underestimated the victims’ psychological harm. The third boy’s sentence was not altered due to his younger age. Victims’ families expressed relief that the seriousness of the crimes was acknowledged, though they stressed the lasting trauma involved. Officials including the attorney general and local police commissioner welcomed the updated sentencing, while the prosecution service was criticised for an inaccurate statement issued during the case.

The Court of Appeal overturned non‑custodial sentences for two boys convicted of raping two teenage girls in Fordingbridge, imposing four‑year detention terms after ruling the original judgments were unduly lenient. Lady Chief Justice Sue Carr said the seriousness of the offences and the psychological harm required custodial sentences, though time already served under curfew will count toward the term. A third boy’s sentence was not changed due to his younger age. Families of both victims welcomed the decision as a more appropriate acknowledgment of the harm caused, while officials including the attorney general and local police commissioner praised the ruling and the victims’ courage. The offenders intend to appeal the updated sentences.

The Court of Appeal is reviewing whether community sentences for three boys convicted of raping two girls in Fordingbridge were unduly lenient, following a referral by the attorney general. Prosecutors argued detention was the only appropriate response to the seriousness of the offences, while defence lawyers said the original judge correctly prioritised rehabilitation. The Lady Chief Justice criticised the Crown Prosecution Service for issuing an inaccurate press release implying a knife had been involved. The sentences prompted strong public and political reaction, including criticism from the prime minister. The appeal hearing continues, with a ruling expected after the boys observe proceedings via videolink.

The Court of Appeal reviewed whether community sentences given to three boys convicted of raping two teenage girls in Fordingbridge were unduly lenient, after a referral by the attorney general. Prosecutors argued detention was the only appropriate punishment due to the seriousness of the offences, while defence lawyers said the trial judge correctly focused on rehabilitation and the offenders' young age. The Lady Chief Justice criticised the Crown Prosecution Service for an inaccurate press release that contributed to public outrage by incorrectly suggesting a knife was used. The hearing continues, with the boys ordered to watch the decision via videolink.