(Patriot.Buzz) – A shocking betrayal compromised British national security as a former British soldier has been convicted of spying for Iran.
22-year-old Daniel Khalife passed sensitive information to Iranian intelligence, compromising the safety of military personnel and potentially endangering UK interests.
This case exposes alarming vulnerabilities in Britain’s military and prison systems, raising serious questions about the country’s ability to protect itself from foreign threats.
Khalife, who joined the Army at 16, was found guilty of violating Britain’s Official Secrets Act.
He was part of the Royal Corps of Signals with access to special forces and intelligence squads and began his treasonous activities at just 17 years old.
Despite being granted NATO secret security clearance, Khalife was secretly passing information to a contact linked to Iranian intelligence.
The Crown Prosecution Service stated that Khalife’s actions could have endangered military personnel and compromised UK security.
Prosecutors described his behavior as a “cynical game” involving the delivery of classified material to Iran, a known adversary of Western nations.
In addition, Khalife’s case gained international attention after he escaped from a London prison in September 2023. The escape, which involved strapping himself to the bottom of a delivery truck while working in the prison kitchen, led to a three-day manhunt.
In a pathetic attempt to justify his actions, Khalife claimed he intended to work as a double agent for Britain, inspired by the TV show “Homeland.”
His defense lawyer described his aspirations as naïve, likening him more to “Scooby Doo” than “James Bond.”
Khalife’s Iranian heritage, which initially barred him from entering the intelligence service, created questions about the vetting process for military personnel with ties to potentially hostile nations.
The fact that British security officials were unaware of his Iranian contacts until he reached out to MI6 to offer his services as a double agent is a damning indictment of the UK’s counterintelligence capabilities.
“He surreptitiously sought out and obtained copies of secret and sensitive information which he knew were protected and passed these on to individuals he believed to be acting on behalf of the Iranian state,” Crown Prosecution Service Bethan David said.
Prosecutors used evidence from Khalife’s mobile phones, notes, and surveillance footage to prove he shared classified information.
While Khalife claimed most of the information he provided was fabricated or publicly available, the potential damage to national security cannot be understated.
As Justice Bobbie Cheema-Grubb indicated that Khalife would face a long prison sentence, it is clear that the UK must take immediate and decisive action to strengthen its military and intelligence apparatus.
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