The escape of the former British soldier who escaped from prison ended in a residential neighborhood in west London, which for three days kept the United Kingdom in suspense, with sightings and rewards for anyone who provided information useful for his capture.
The escape from Wandsworth prison in south London on 6 September was daring, then the manhunt began, culminating in the arrest announced today by Scotland Yard via its social media channels.
Daniel Khalife, 21, was formally charged last January with seeking information on armed forces personnel for terrorist purposes and with planting a fake bomb at the Royal Air Force base in Stafford, central England. Not only that: according to the British media he was also suspected of having collected sensitive information with the alleged intention of passing it to Iran. A very ambiguous and potentially dangerous profile.
The methods of the escape caused a stir in the country and a certain embarrassment for the police, those in charge of the prison facilities and the government: disguised as a cook, the former soldier had escaped the guards and cameras by hiding under the food van before left the penitentiary, with some improvised restraints.
Then it evaporated. For three days London was searched, as were its airports: during the night, after some "confirmed" sightings, Scotland Yard's massive operation began in the residential district of Chiswick.
(Unioneonline/L)