A terror suspect has escaped from prison in London. Daniel Abed Khalife, 21, is said to have worked in the kitchen and hung in his chef jacket under a food delivery van, allowing him to get outside the prison walls. Police have launched a manhunt and are looking for him across the country.
Khalife, a British former soldier, had been in Wandsworth Prison in south London since January. He is suspected of planting dummy bombs on a military base and collecting or disseminating information “that could be useful to an enemy”. He himself has contradicted that last accusation in court. His case was set to continue in November.
At around 8 a.m., Khalife allegedly slipped out of the 170-year-old Victorian prison. Airports, ports and border crossings have been informed of its outbreak. Security measures have been taken at all airports and Manchester airport, for example, has already reported a delay of about 30 minutes as a result. Heathrow Airport also warns of possible delays.
People who see Khalife anywhere are asked to immediately call the emergency number. Although the authorities do not think he is a danger to his environment, it is recommended not to approach the fugitive prisoner yourself.
Police say the terror suspect has ties to the Kingston area, southwest London. It is also thought that he is still in London or near the capital, although it is not excluded that he is already further away.
Anger in the House of Commons
Prison escapes are relatively rare in England. Since 2007, it has happened no more than eight times a year and between 2019 and 2022 only three prisoners managed to escape, according to official figures.
Nevertheless, the outbreak is also unleashing tongues in the British House of Commons. Labor MP Shabana Mahmood, who is speaking on justice, has demanded that the Sunak government come forward with an explanation for the outbreak.
“It is right that the police should be given every opportunity to recapture the suspect, but Rishi Sunak must show that there is no wider risk as his zombie government has lost control of the justice system.”
Minister Chalk of Justice reports that he will talk to the prison management about security measures and the investigation into this escape. He says he is regularly updated on the search for Khalife.
