Ex-British Soldier Found Guilty Of Espionage And Bomb Hoax For Iran After Prison Escape

A British soldier has been found guilty of gathering sensitive information on behalf of individuals connected to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including the identities of special forces personnel. Daniel Abed Khalife, 23, collected the classified material between May 2019 and January 2022, Woolwich Crown Court heard. The prosecution also presented evidence that Khalife had placed a fake bomb in his barracks before absconding in January 2023.

Khalife, who had been discharged from the armed forces following his charges, stood trial for multiple offenses, including espionage under the Official Secrets Act and terrorism-related charges. He denied the charges, but admitted to escaping from Wandsworth prison in September 2023, where he had been held awaiting trial. His escape, which involved clinging to the bottom of a delivery van, led to a nationwide manhunt.

During the trial, Khalife claimed that he wanted to work as a “double agent” for British intelligence services, despite his Iranian heritage. He argued that he and his family opposed Iran’s regime, adding that the documents he provided were either publicly available or fabricated by him.

The jury deliberated for over 23 hours before finding Khalife guilty of espionage and terrorism-related offenses but acquitting him of the bomb hoax charge. Prosecutors described him as an amateurish fantasist, though they acknowledged the significant damage his actions could have caused to British security.

Commander Dominic Murphy of the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command referred to Khalife as a “Walter Mitty” character someone with grandiose fantasies who created real-world harm.