Iranian handlers were ‘extremely unorganised’ like ‘a bunch of children’, Daniel Khalife spy trial soldier told police

A British soldier accused of spying told police his Iranian handlers were just like ‘a bunch of children’, a court heard.

Daniel Khalife, 23, allegedly broke out of HMP Wandsworth in south-west London last year when in custody on espionage charges.

But he claimed he was a ‘double agent’ running an entrapment operation. He stated he was put in touch with Iranian spies after contacting Hamed Ghashgavi, an Iranian sanctioned by the US, on Facebook.

Khalife said he had wanted to work in intelligence and was devastated when told his Iranian-Lebanese heritage meant he might not pass the vetting. That is when he began handing bogus documents to Iran.

Khalife said he got a ‘bit of a thrill’ from his covert dealings, which led him to receive cash and even travel to Istanbul.

Khalife, 23, (centre), pictured in an artist’s sketch of proceedings, allegedly broke out of HMP Wandsworth in south-west London last year while in custody on espionage charges

Khalife claimed he was a ‘double agent’ running an entrapment operation with Iranian spies and began handing bogus documents to them. Khalife said he got a ‘bit of a thrill’ from his covert dealings, which led him to receive cash and even travel to Istanbul

He was arrested in 2022 after twice emailing MI6 and calling MI5 to reveal what he was doing. He told police the Iranians were ‘extremely unorganised’ and Ghashgavi called them ‘a bunch of children running an intelligence agency’.

Khalife is accused of collecting secrets from the Royal Signals Regiment and handing them to Iran agent. He denies an act prejudicial to the state, eliciting information about the Armed Forces, perpetrating a bomb hoax and escaping from jail.

The trial at Woolwich Crown Court in London continues.

Khalife denies an act prejudicial to the state, eliciting information about the Armed Forces, perpetrating a bomb hoax and escaping from jail