Former Soldier Sentenced to 14 Years for Spying for Iran

Daniel Abed Khalife, a former British soldier, has been sentenced to 14 years and three months in prison after being convicted of espionage and terrorism-related charges for collecting sensitive military information for Iran. Khalife, who was discharged from the army after being charged, gathered information on elite special forces personnel and attempted to contact Iranian intelligence, claiming he wanted to be a 'double agent.' His actions included a brief escape from London's Wandsworth prison in September 2023, which led to a nationwide manhunt costing over £250,000. Judge Bobbie Cheema-Grubb described Khalife's plan as 'dangerous and fantastical,' noting he acted out of a 'selfish desire to show off.' Despite his claims of patriotism and disdain for the Iranian government, Khalife had been involved with agents linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. His case raises significant concerns about military security and the potential risks posed by individuals with access to sensitive information.