Man Pleads Not Guilty to Assisting Escaped Prisoner
Imran Chowdhury, a 25-year-old resident of Chingford, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, where he pleaded not guilty to assisting Daniel Khalife, a former soldier who escaped from HMP Wandsworth in September 2023. Chowdhury was arrested in January 2024 and charged in December with one count of assisting an escaped prisoner.
The court deemed the charge too serious for a magistrates' court and scheduled a hearing at Snaresbrook Crown Court on February 4. Chowdhury was granted bail with the condition that he reside at his home address in Chingford.
Soldier-Turned-Spy Khalife Found Guilty of Spying for Iran
Daniel Khalife, a 23-year-old former soldier, was found guilty of spying for Iran in November 2024. He was convicted of breaching the Official Secrets and Terrorism Acts after a trial at Woolwich Crown Court. Khalife had already admitted to escaping from Wandsworth prison.
While serving in the British Army, Khalife collected sensitive information and passed it to agents of Iran, exposing military personnel to serious harm. He was paid in cash for the information and told his handlers that he would remain in the military for over 25 years to serve their interests.
Prosecutors described Khalife's actions as a "cynical game," claiming he wanted a career as a double agent to help British Intelligence Services while actually gathering a significant amount of restricted and classified material.
5 Comments
Coccinella
Absolutely shocking that someone would help a traitor like Khalife escape. He put innocent people at risk and betrayed his country. Chowdhury deserves to be locked up alongside him!
Comandante
This makes me question the security of our prisons. How could someone like Khalife escape from a high-security facility?
Muchacha
We don't know all the facts of the case yet. It's possible that Chowdhury was coerced or threatened into helping Khalife escape.
Habibi
Justice needs to be served in this case. Both Khalife and Chowdhury should be held accountable for their actions.
Muchacha
Chowdhury should be ashamed of himself for helping Khalife escape. He betrayed his country and put innocent lives at risk.