Daniel Khalife Jailed for 14 Years After Spying for Iran and Escaping Prison
Daniel Khalife, a former soldier, receives a 14-year sentence for spying for Iran and escaping from HMP Wandsworth
Daniel Khalife, Iran, HMP Wandsworth, London, UK
London: Daniel Khalife, a former soldier, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison. He was found guilty of spying for Iran and escaping from HMP Wandsworth.
Khalife, 23, was in the British Army when he collected sensitive information. He passed this information to Iranian agents, putting military personnel at risk.
He was paid in cash for the secrets and planned to stay in the military for over 25 years. In September 2023, he escaped from prison by hiding under a food truck.
Days later, police caught him on a canal towpath. His escape caused flights to be grounded as authorities searched for him.
After his arrest, Khalife joked about the impact of his escape on travelers. The police spent over £250,000 in overtime to find him, with more than 150 officers involved.
In November, jurors found him guilty of breaching the Official Secrets Act and the Terrorism Act. Prosecutors said he played a “cynical game” while claiming to want to help British intelligence.
Khalife had already admitted to escaping from Wandsworth. Police described him as a “Walter Mitty character” affecting the real world.
He joined the Army in 2018 and gathered names of serving soldiers, including special forces. He traveled to Istanbul to avoid suspicion.
Prosecutors believe he sent sensitive information to Iran before deleting evidence. Khalife claimed he wanted to help UK security agencies all along.
He even contacted MI6 in 2019, hoping to prove his worth despite his Iranian heritage. His double agent plot was inspired by the TV show Homeland.
In November 2021, he called MI5, confessing to his contacts with Iran. He offered to help British security services and wanted to return to a normal life.
During the trial, his defense described his double agent plan as “hapless” and “slapstick.” Prosecutors also mentioned a bomb hoax he prepared at his barracks in January 2023.
A soldier discovered the hoax and proved it was fake. A bomb disposal unit was called in days later to examine the device.