As the manhunt for escaped terror suspect Daniel Khalife enters its fourth day, a close relative has urged him to surrender. Speaking to The Times, the unnamed family member described Khalife as a “very, very intelligent, easygoing, and kind boy” who has changed over the past year. The relative expressed understanding of Khalife’s fear but emphasized the importance of ending this ordeal. Despite the love the family has for him, they do not expect him to seek their help while on the run, as he would never want to cause them any problems.
Scotland Yard has revealed that there was a confirmed sighting of Khalife about a mile away from Wandsworth Prison shortly after his escape. Commander Dominic Murphy, who leads the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, has deemed this sighting “very significant.” A member of the public witnessed Khalife emerging from under a food lorry, heading towards Wandsworth town centre. The police have received over 100 calls from the public, and a reward of £20,000 is now being offered for information leading to his arrest.
It is believed that Khalife knows the Richmond area well since he grew up nearby, and his mother and sister lived there until a few years ago. Detectives have focused their search in Richmond Park, which is in close proximity to the Category B prison. While the Metropolitan Police does not consider Khalife a threat to the public, they urge anyone who spots him to stay away and immediately contact the authorities.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley called Khalife’s escape “clearly pre-planned” and raised concerns about why the terror suspect was not being held in a high-security prison. Detectives are now investigating whether Khalife received assistance from prison guards or other inmates during his escape. There is also the possibility that he may have managed to flee the country.
As a former soldier awaiting trial for allegedly planting a fake bomb at an RAF base and collecting information relevant to acts of terrorism or threats to the UK, Khalife possesses military training and skills that could aid in evading capture. Commander Murphy described him as a “very resourceful individual” and emphasized that the UK has some of the best military personnel in the world. While concerns of potential state involvement in his escape have been raised, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak declined to comment, citing an ongoing police investigation.
While the public is urged to stay away from Khalife if spotted, their vigilance is crucial in ensuring his swift apprehension. The police have already received numerous leads and are actively following up on them. The £20,000 reward serves as a powerful incentive for individuals to come forward with any information that could lead to his arrest.
As the search for Daniel Khalife continues, it remains to be seen how his escape will unfold. The urgency for him to surrender, as emphasized by his own family, highlights the desire for resolution and justice. The authorities, supported by public cooperation and vigilance, remain determined to locate and apprehend the fleeing terror suspect.
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