Daniel Khalife, a former British soldier, was found guilty of spying for Iran after a trial that showcased his unconventional methods of espionage, which he partly attributed to inspiration from the television series "Homeland." The verdict was delivered at Woolwich Crown Court on Thursday, where the 23-year-old was convicted of collecting information beneficial to an enemy but was acquitted of charges related to planting fake bombs in his military barracks.
Khalife had contested the charges, claiming his intention was to work as a double agent for British intelligence. However, his defense attorney described his aspirations as naïve and lacking sophistication, likening them to "Scooby Doo" rather than the polished image of secret agents portrayed in films.
His criminal activities included a peculiar incident where Iranian handlers directed him to collect approximately $2,000 left in a bag meant for dog waste. Khalife had previously admitted to a dramatic prison escape in September 2023, which highlighted significant security lapses within the prison system. Following a nationwide manhunt, he was apprehended three days later while riding a bicycle near Wandsworth jail.
Khalife's defense suggested that the escape demonstrated his skills as an undercover agent; he expressed that it highlighted the imprudence of confining someone with his abilities. However, prosecutors argued that he had indeed shared sensitive documents with Iranian operatives, including a trip to Turkey to meet a contact, and dismissed his claims of aspiring to be a double agent as disingenuous.
Joining the British Army at 16, Khalife served in the Royal Corps of Signals but was denied a role in intelligence due to his mother's Iranian heritage. Subsequently, he initiated contact with individuals linked to Iranian intelligence, passing sensitive information. He secured NATO security clearance during a joint exercise in Texas in 2021, and British authorities were largely unaware of his connections until he reported them himself.
In his military tenure, Khalife compiled a list of 15 serving soldiers, which he denied passing to Iranian contacts, asserting that he primarily provided false information. His communications were mainly conducted via the encrypted messaging app Telegram, with many messages subsequently deleted. Nevertheless, prosecutors presented evidence indicating that some of the documents he shared were authentic.
The court also heard that Khalife's actions could have jeopardized the safety of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian citizen previously detained in Iran, by sending misinformation that the British government was uncooperative regarding her release. Sentencing for Khalife is scheduled for December 12.
Dominic Murphy, head of the counterterrorism command at the Metropolitan Police, emphasized the severe threat posed to Britain by states like Iran and condemned Khalife's actions as reckless. He remarked that while Khalife claimed to seek assistance for UK security by becoming a double agent, the reality was that his actions significantly endangered national security.
Despite the court proceedings, Khalife maintained a delusional view of espionage, referencing his motivations from fictional portrayals, and asserted his patriotism, claiming, "I do love my country. All I wanted to do was help."