Former British soldier Daniel Khalife, 23, was found guilty of espionage for Iran, following a dramatic escape from a London prison that highlighted vulnerabilities in the UK's correctional system. Convicted by a jury at Woolwich Crown Court, Khalife was accused of providing sensitive information to Iranian intelligence, including the identities of special forces officers. Despite his defense claiming his actions were misguided attempts at double agency inspired by television, prosecutors argued he "played a cynical game" by delivering a significant volume of restricted material.
Khalife's espionage case gained notoriety after his escape in September 2023 from Wandsworth Prison, where he worked in the kitchen. His bold evasion involved strapping himself to the bottom of a delivery truck, triggering a widespread three-day manhunt until his capture on a canal path. Although Khalife pleaded guilty to the escape, he denied allegations of passing classified information, maintaining his intentions were to aid British intelligence.
The escape has spurred an inquiry into the nation's prison system, revealing concerns over its aged infrastructure. Khalife revealed he started communicating with Iranian handlers as a teenager and ultimately offered to work as a double agent for MI6, Britain's foreign intelligence agency. His actions involved accessing and distributing classified military documents, which, according to prosecutors, posed a substantial threat to UK security and military personnel. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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