Men accused of helping Daniel Khalife after Wandsworth escape

Adeel Khan and Imran Chowdhury faced allegations at Snaresbrook Crown Court that they helped Daniel Abed Khalife stay on the move after his escape from HMP Wandsworth. The case centres on a phone hidden inside the jail, money withdrawn in Richmond and a diary found after Khalife was arrested on a canal towpath in Northolt three days after he vanished.

Khalife escaped on 6 September 2023 by clinging to the underside of a food delivery truck, using a sling made from bedsheets and carabiners. He had been held at Wandsworth since January 2023 while awaiting trial for allegedly spying for Iran and a bomb hoax at his Army base. When police caught him in west London, the diary he was carrying allegedly contained Khan’s name, Khan’s prison number, a Snapchat handle and the number of the phone Khan had hidden inside prison. An entry dated 21 August, marked with a star and the word “failed,” showed an earlier escape attempt.

Khan, from Highams Park in east London, and Chowdhury both deny intending to “prevent, hinder or interfere” with Khalife being caught. Khan made repeated calls to Chowdhury after the escape and instructed his girlfriend to transfer money to him. Chowdhury withdrew £400 in Richmond to help Khalife while he was on the run.

Khalife approached at least five members of the public, including a pub manager and a delivery driver, to use their phones as he tried to get money and assistance.

Khalife, who was 23 when sentenced, was jailed in February 2025 for 14 years and three months after being convicted of spying for Iran and escaping from prison. He had already admitted the Wandsworth escape and was cleared of the bomb hoax charge.