Former British Army soldier Daniel Khalife has been convicted of spying for Iran.
Khalife was found guilty of gathering and transmitting information to Tehran, including the names of special forces soldiers. However, he was acquitted of a charge relating to a bomb hoax at his army barracks.
During his trial at Woolwich Crown Court, he admitted to escaping Wandsworth prison in London in September 2023 by hiding under a food delivery lorry. Justice Bobbie Cheema-Grubb indicated that Khalife faces “a long custodial sentence” when sentenced early next year.
His actions violated the Official Secrets Act and the Terrorism Act. Prosecutors described Khalife’s conduct as a “cynical game,” revealing he had contacted an individual linked to Iranian intelligence shortly after enlisting in the army in September 2018, later offering to become a double agent for MI6.
The court heard that Khalife had collected sensitive information that could have been extremely dangerous if misused.
He had connected with an Iranian IRGC-linked contact on Facebook and established relationships with Iranian operatives, once retrieving $2,000 hidden in a dog waste bag in a north London park.
Bethan David, head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s counter-terrorism division, criticised Khalife for betraying his duty to safeguard national security, stating his actions could have endangered military personnel and compromised the UK’s safety.
Khalife had compiled a list of 15 serving soldiers, including special forces members, though he denied sharing this with Iran, claiming the information provided was mostly fabricated.
The full extent of the sensitive material Khalife transmitted to Iran remains unknown, as many of his Telegram messages were deleted.
Following his high-profile prison break, Khalife was captured 75 hours later while cycling along a canal towpath.
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