Ex-British Soldier on Trial for Alleged Espionage and Prison Escape

A former British soldier, Daniel Khalife, aged 23, is on trial at Woolwich Crown Court facing allegations of espionage and a dramatic prison escape. Khalife, who previously served in the Royal Signals, is accused of passing sensitive military information to Iranian intelligence officers. He denies all the charges against him.

Prosecutor Mark Heywood KC presented details of Khalife’s alleged espionage activities, which involved collecting and transmitting details of service personnel, including members of the elite Special Air Service and Special Boat Service, to Iranian contacts. The court heard that Khalife accessed internal military systems and shared a list of soldiers’ names and promotions through various means, including social media.

Khalife reportedly began his unauthorized activities shortly after joining the British Army in 2018. By April 2019, he had established a contact with an Iranian +98 dialing code, and by August 2020, he allegedly traveled to Istanbul to meet Iranian agents. However, according to the prosecution, the meeting in Istanbul did not proceed as planned.

The trial also heard details of Khalife’s prison escape from HMP Wandsworth in south London. On 6 September last year, while on remand for terror and espionage charges, Khalife allegedly strapped himself to the underside of a Bidfood delivery truck, using a makeshift sling constructed from knotted bedsheets and metal carabiners. This daring escape led to a widespread manhunt, with Khalife reportedly visiting several shops and a McDonald’s restaurant in west London before being recaptured on a towpath along the Grand Union Canal.

During the escape, it is alleged that Khalife visited a Mountain Warehouse store, where he bought a sleeping bag, and later purchased a mobile phone from a gift shop in Hammersmith. The trial heard that he was spotted in various locations, including Marks & Spencer in Kew and Sainsbury's in Richmond, often disguised with a hat and a mask.

Khalife’s prosecution is founded on charges under the Official Secrets Act and the Terrorism Act, including committing actions prejudicial to national security and information gathering about armed forces personnel. Additional charges include making a bomb hoax and orchestrating his prison escape.

The court has been presented with evidence suggesting that Khalife also maintained contact with Iranian operatives during a posting to Fort Hood, Texas, where he held NATO Secret clearance. Despite being under investigation, Khalife allegedly continued to communicate with Iranian handlers, indicating a substantial level of resourcefulness and intent.

Khalife has pleaded not guilty to all charges and maintains no wrongdoing. The trial is expected to last several weeks as the prosecution and defense present their evidence and arguments.