Ex-British Soldier Sentenced to 14 Years for Spying for Iran and Prison Escape

Daniel Khalife, a former British Army soldier, was convicted of passing sensitive military information to Iran and escaping from a UK prison in 2023.

Daniel Khalife, 23, was convicted of espionage under the Official Secrets and Terrorism Acts for supplying sensitive military data to Iranian agents while serving in the British Army.
Khalife's espionage activities included passing names of special forces personnel and forging documents; he was paid in cash by Iranian handlers.
In September 2023, Khalife escaped from HMP Wandsworth by clinging to the underside of a food delivery truck, sparking a nationwide manhunt that lasted 75 hours.
The court described Khalife as a 'dangerous fool' motivated by ego and a desire for attention, sentencing him to 14 years and three months in prison, including additional time for his escape.
The case has exposed security failings in the UK prison system and prompted changes to protect military personnel from similar breaches.