Sign in Subscribe
Police departments

Nationwide Manhunt Launched for Former Soldier Suspected of Terror Offences

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A nationwide manhunt has been launched in the UK for 21-year-old Daniel Abed Khalife, a former soldier accused of terror offences, after he escaped from HMP Wandsworth prison in London on Wednesday morning. Khalife, who was awaiting trial for allegedly leaving fake bombs at a military base, is believed to have escaped by strapping himself to the underside of a food delivery van in the prison kitchen.

Key Takeaways:

  • Daniel Abed Khalife, 21, is the subject of a nationwide manhunt in the UK for allegedly escaping from HMP Wandsworth prison in London on Wednesday morning.
  • Khalife was awaiting trial for alleged terror offences, including preparing an act of terrorism and collecting information useful to an enemy.
  • He is believed to have escaped by strapping himself to the underside of a food delivery van in the prison kitchen.
  • The Prison Service is working with the Metropolitan Police to "urgently investigate" the escape.
  • Extra security checks at airports and ports have led to long delays, including at Heathrow Airport, Manchester Airport, and the Port of Dover.
  • Cdr Dominic Murphy, head of the Met's Counter Terrorism Command, confirmed that all police forces and UK border points have been put on notice.
  • The search has been expanded across the country, with a "low risk" assessment for the public, but people are being urged not to approach Khalife and to call 999 instead.
  • Khalife has links to the Kingston area of London and to the North West, and was last seen wearing a prison-issue chef's uniform.
  • The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that Khalife was kicked out of the armed forces earlier this year, despite not being found guilty.
  • Justice Secretary Alex Chalk has ordered an investigation into the escape and has sought "reassurances about security at the prison."
  • Ian Acheson, a justice expert, has called the escape "very serious" due to the categorization of HMP Wandsworth as a category B prison, which is not considered secure enough for someone accused of terror offences.

Statistics:

  • The prison escape rate in the UK has been relatively low in recent years, with only five escapes since 2017 and fewer than 20 since 2010.
  • According to a January 2022 report by HM Inspectorate of Prisons, a "serious security breach" had led to an escape from HMP Wandsworth in 2019.
  • At the time of his escape, Mr. Khalife was being held on remand pending a trial due to begin on 13 November at Woolwich Crown Court.
  • The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that Khalife was discharged from the Army on 22 May, 2023, due to being held on remand for the charges.

Sources:

  • BBC News: "Nationwide manhunt launched for former soldier accused of terror offences"
  • The Guardian: "Prison escape: former soldier accused of terror offences"
  • The Independent: "Nationwide manhunt launched for former soldier accused of terror offences"
  • HM Inspectorate of Prisons: "Report on the escape from HMP Wandsworth in 2019" (January 2022)
  • Ministry of Defence: Statement on Daniel Khalife's discharge from the Army (22 May, 2023)

Read more