A former soldier, Daniel Abed Khalife, has managed to escape from Wandsworth prison while awaiting trial for terrorism and Official Secrets Act offenses. This development has prompted an urgent appeal from the Metropolitan Police to locate Khalife, who is suspected to have made his escape on a Wednesday morning.
Khalife, who is 21 years old, allegedly escaped from the prison, one of the UK’s largest, by concealing himself under a food truck, according to a Whitehall source. Reports suggest that he was working in the prison kitchen and was wearing a chef’s uniform when he held onto straps on the truck to execute his getaway.
The former member of the Royal Signals, who was stationed at Beacon Barracks in Stafford, was on remand at Wandsworth prison while awaiting trial for breaching the Official Secrets Act by collecting information deemed “useful to an enemy.” These charges were brought against him following an investigation by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command.
Khalife had been serving in the British Army when he was charged but was discharged in May, attributed to his remand on these charges, as confirmed by an Army spokesperson.
Following his escape, the UK’s Terrorism Command was informed, and an alert was sent out to all UK airports and ports. Gatwick Airport has imposed additional security checks in response to the prison escape, potentially causing delays. Heathrow Airport and the Port of Dover have also warned travelers about possible disruptions due to increased security measures.
Khalife was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, red and white checkered trousers, and brown steel toe cap boots. He is described as approximately 6 feet 2 inches tall, with a slim build and short brown hair.
Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, emphasized that there’s no information suggesting that Khalife poses a threat to the general public. Nevertheless, he urged anyone who spots Khalife or has information about his whereabouts to call 999 immediately and not approach him.
While Khalife is believed to still be in the UK, he has connections to south-west London and the north-west of England.
