Manhunt Intensifies for Escaped Terror Suspect Daniel Khalife
The search for 21-year-old Daniel Khalife, who escaped from HMP Wandsworth, has entered its fourth day, prompting his family to implore him to turn himself in. Khalife, an ex-soldier, managed to evade authorities by clinging to the underbelly of a food truck as it departed the prison. The Met Police has announced a £20,000 reward for any information leading to his capture.
Khalife’s family is making a heartfelt plea for him to surrender to law enforcement. A close relative conveyed their message, expressing sympathy for his fear but urging him to bring an end to his escape. Khalife, whose mother is of Iranian descent, faces charges under the Official Secrets Act for alleged espionage on behalf of Iran, despite only visiting the country twice in his lifetime.
The tearful relative highlighted Khalife’s deep connection to the United Kingdom, noting that he was content during his time in the army, never expressing any desire to leave. However, an unspecified event last year seemed to have caused him significant distress, prompting his flight from authorities. The relative firmly believes in Khalife’s innocence, emphasizing that he had dedicated four years to the army, making the idea of betrayal seem implausible.
Khalife and his twin sister were raised by their single mother in Kingston, southwest London. Although he had been estranged from his Lebanese father for several years due to their parents’ separation, his father has visited him while in remand. Khalife’s initial decision to join the army as a teenager caused some concern for his mother, who initially encouraged him to stay in sixth-form college.
Recent revelations indicate that Khalife possessed specialist military escape and evasion training from his time in the Army. It is believed that he fashioned a strap from a plastic mattress cover to secure himself beneath the Bidfood delivery lorry. The vehicle departed HMP Wandsworth at 7:32 a.m. on Wednesday, with Khalife being declared missing at 7:50 a.m. The police were notified at 8:15 a.m., and the lorry was intercepted at 8:37 a.m. CCTV footage later captured the van driving along a London road.
Furthermore, the Met Police is actively investigating a potential sighting of Khalife shortly after his escape. A member of the public reported seeing a man resembling the terror suspect emerging from beneath the BidFood delivery van near the Wandsworth roundabout, heading toward Wandsworth town center.
Initially, law enforcement’s search efforts were focused on Richmond Park, located six miles from the Victorian jail. However, there is growing concern that Khalife may have managed to flee the country.