British Soldier Found Guilty of Spying for Iran
Trial Highlights Unusual Case of Double Identity
A British soldier, Daniel Abed Khalife, was found guilty today of collecting sensitive information for people linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and gathering the names of special forces personnel. The 23-year-old was also accused of leaving a fake bomb on a desk before absconding from his barracks in January 2023.
Background of the Case
Khalife, who was discharged from the armed forces after he was charged, collected sensitive information between May 2019 and January 2022, according to prosecutor Mark Heywood. He was also accused of escaping from London’s Wandsworth prison in September 2023 while awaiting trial for the other charges, tying himself to the bottom of a delivery van and sparking a brief nationwide manhunt.
Trial and Verdict
The 23-year-old stood trial charged with gathering information that might be useful to an enemy, namely Iran – which is an offence under the Official Secrets Act, and with obtaining information likely to be useful for terrorism and with a bomb hoax. He denied all the charges, pleading guilty during his evidence to escaping from prison, and said he wanted to be a "double agent" for the British intelligence services.
Khalife said he was a patriot and that he and his family hated the Iranian government. "Me and my family are against the regime in Iran," he told the jury. The jury deliberated for over 23 hours before returning a guilty verdict under the Official Secrets Act and the Terrorism Act. He was found not guilty of perpetrating a bomb hoax.
Prosecution’s Case
Prosecutors said Khalife picked up around £1,500 in 2019 on instructions from his handler and, two weeks later, anonymously emailed Britain’s MI6 foreign intelligence service, saying he wanted "to work as a double agent". Heywood told the jury that Khalife, who joined the army shortly before his 17th birthday, had almost immediately begun "to entertain thoughts about espionage".
Defence’s Case
Khalife, however, said he was a patriot and had been "devastated" when he was told that his Iranian heritage meant he was unlikely to be granted clearance to work in intelligence. He also said the documents he passed to his Iranian handler were useless, being either publicly available or created by Khalife himself.
Police’s View
Police described Khalife as a fantasist and amateurish in his approach, but said he had a serious adverse impact on British interests. "He is, I think, the ultimate Walter Mitty character," commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Metropolitan Police’s counter terrorism command, said, referring to a fictional character who has fantastic day dreams. "The problem is, he’s a Walter Mitty character that was having an extremely significant impact in the real world."
Conclusion
The case highlights the unusual and complex nature of Khalife’s actions, which blurred the lines between fantasy and reality. While Khalife’s motives and actions were questionable, his impact on British interests was undeniable. The trial serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance in the face of espionage and the need for effective counter-terrorism measures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What were the charges against Daniel Abed Khalife?
A: Khalife was charged with gathering information that might be useful to an enemy, namely Iran, and with obtaining information likely to be useful for terrorism and with a bomb hoax.
Q: What was the outcome of the trial?
A: Khalife was found guilty of the charges under the Official Secrets Act and the Terrorism Act, and was found not guilty of perpetrating a bomb hoax.
Q: What was Khalife’s defense?
A: Khalife said he was a patriot and that he and his family hated the Iranian government. He also claimed that the documents he passed to his Iranian handler were useless, being either publicly available or created by Khalife himself.
Q: What was the police’s view of Khalife’s actions?
A: Police described Khalife as a fantasist and amateurish in his approach, but said he had a serious adverse impact on British interests.