A SOLDIER accused of spying for Iran changed his plea mid-way through his trial and now admits fleeing from prison.
Trial judge Mrs Justice Cheema Grubb told jurors Daniel Khalife, 23, accepts he “deliberately escaped”.
PADaniel Khalife, accused of spying for Iran, changed his plea mid-way through his trial and now admits fleeing from prison[/caption]
When the charge was read to him again yesterday, Khalife answered: “I’m guilty.”
But he still denies committing an act prejudicial to the safety of the state and perpetrating a bomb hoax while with the Royal Corps of Signals.
Khalife joined the Army at 16, contacted a man said to be linked to Iranian intelligence the next year and then told MI6 he wanted to be a double agent.
Prosecutors allege Khalife, of Kingston upon Thames, South West London, intended to flee to Iran after escaping from HMP Wandsworth last year.
Jurors heard he held on to the underside of a food delivery truck while using a sling made from kitchen trousers.
During three days at large he is said to have phoned his Iranian handler.
Khalife told Woolwich crown court: “I was not thinking straight.
“I was not looking for any help to aid the escape — I made contact out of curiosity.”
He previously told the court he was “never a real spy” but dreamed of becoming a double agent and handed over fabricated documents to the Iranians in a bid to make that come true.
The trial continues.
PAKhalife joined the Army at 16 and later said he wanted to be a double agent[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
