SafeX Pro Exchange-Escaped prisoner may have used bedsheets to strap himself to a truck, UK prosecutor says

2025-05-06 12:45:45source:Austin Caldwellcategory:Markets

LONDON (AP) — A former British soldier who escaped from prison may have SafeX Pro Exchangesneaked out by using bedsheets to strap himself to the bottom of a food delivery truck, prosecutors said Monday.

Daniel Abed Khalife, 21, was arrested while he was cycling on a canal towpath in west London on Saturday after a four-day manhunt. Khalife escaped Wednesday from Wandsworth Prison, a medium-security facility in southwest London where he had been awaiting trial on charges of terrorism and trying to spy for an enemy state.

The ex-soldier appeared in the dock at Westminster Magistrates’ Court Monday for a brief hearing, speaking only to confirm his name and birthdate. He was remanded in custody after the hearing.

Prosecutor Thomas Williams said Khalife, who held a job in the prison’s kitchen, allegedly escaped by strapping himself to the catering truck using “material which may have been from bed sheets.”

He said police found the material underneath the truck, with clips at each end and marks consistent with someone having been there.

Khalife was awaiting trial on charges of violating Britain’s Official Secrets Act by gathering information “that could be useful to an enemy” and planting fake bombs at a military base. He was discharged from the British army after his arrest earlier this year and denied the allegations. His trial was set for November.

He also faces charges of escaping custody, and is expected to appear for another hearing at the Central Criminal Court on Sept.29.

The escape prompted helicopter searches in London and extra security checks at major transport hubs, particularly in and around the Port of Dover, the main boat crossing from England to France.

More:Markets

Recommend

Woman dies after Singapore family of 3 gets into accident in Taiwan

One woman died after a family of three from Singapore got into a car accident in Miaoli, Taiwan on S

Pope Francis visits Venice in first trip outside of Rome in seven months

Pope Francis made his first trip out of Rome in seven months on Sunday with a visit to Venice that i

Los Angeles vegan restaurant to add meat dishes, says lifestyle not solution for all

A popular vegan restaurant in Los Angeles announced it would incorporate animal products into its me