(BBC) The former British soldier accused of spying for Iran and escaping from prison has said he is “a patriot” who loves his country.
Giving evidence for the first time in his trial at Woolwich Crown Court, Daniel Khalife said “I am English” and that he was “against the regime in Iran.”
Prosecutors allege Mr Khalife collected sensitive military information for Iran, and later hid underneath a food truck to escape Wandsworth prison in south-west London on 6 September 2023. He denies the charges.
Mr Khalife said he reached out to Iranian intelligence on social media platforms Facebook and Telegram when he was 17, sending them “fake” documents and receiving a “dead drop” of £1,500 in a dog poo bag in return.
