A former British soldier accused of passing secret information to Iran was reported to police by MI5 after offering to work for them as a double agent, a court has heard.
A police investigation was only launched into Daniel Khalife, 23, as a result of the secret service “getting in touch”, jurors were told.
Khalife, a Royal Corps of Signals soldier at the time, made an anonymous call to the MI5 public reporting line in November 2021, admitting to being in contact with the foreign state for more than two years, his trial at Woolwich Crown Court heard.
He offered to help the British security services, and said he wanted to return to his normal life.
MI5 made nine attempts to return his calls, but were not able to reach him, jurors heard.
The security agency reported him the following month, and he was arrested in January 2022 – police were not aware of his activities before MI5’s approach, the court heard.
Naeem Karbhari, defending Khalife, said: “As a result of MI5 getting in touch, the police started the investigation.
“As a result of information (Khalife) provided, he was made the subject of an investigation.”
Prosecutors say the former soldier played “a cynical game”, claiming he wanted to forge a career working as a double agent to help the British Security and Intelligence Services, when in fact he gathered “a very large body of restricted and classified material” to pass to Iran.
It is alleged that the information he gathered included details of officers in special forces.
He is also alleged to have fled his Army barracks in January 2023 when he realised he would face criminal charges.
Later, while on remand, he is said to have escaped from HMP Wandsworth in September 2023 by tying himself to the underside of a food delivery truck using bedsheets.
As well as the prison escape, he also faces charges contrary to the Official Secrets Act and Terrorism Act, and is accused of perpetrating a bomb hoax.
He denies all the charges, and the trial will continue on Monday.
