Daniel Khalife: From soldier to Britain's most wanted — Here’s what happened
Daniel Abed Khalife, aged 21, has been apprehended by police just over three days after his daring escape from HMP Wandsworth, where he was found strapped beneath a food delivery van. This marks the conclusion of Khalife's time on the run while awaiting his impending court case. But how did he transform from a British army soldier into Britain's most sought-after fugitive?
January 27, 2023 — The Charges
The journey begins on January 27, 2023, when Daniel Abed Khalife, a soldier stationed at Beacon Barracks in Staffordshire with the Royal Signals, faces charges of a terror offense and perpetrating a bomb hoax at RAF Stafford on or before January 2. He is also accused of seeking information related to individuals connected to His Majesty's forces, deemed potentially useful to those plotting acts of terrorism on August 2, 2021. Khalife appears at Westminster magistrates court the following day, where he is remanded in custody.
May 2023 — Discharge from the British Army
In May 2023, Khalife is discharged from the British army, marking a significant transition in his life.
July 21, 2023 — The Plea Hearing
Khalife makes an appearance at the Old Bailey for a plea hearing. To his existing charges, a third is added under the Official Secrets Act. This charge alleges that between May 1, 2019, and January 6, 2022, Khalife «obtained, collected, recorded, published, or communicated to any other person articles, notes, documents, or information which were calculated to be or might be or were intended to be directly or indirectly useful to an enemy.»
It is believed to be linked to accusations of sharing information with Iran. Khalife staunchly denies all three charges, setting the stage for a six-week trial scheduled for November 13
