Will Coldwell Reported On The ‘Wild True Story’ of Daniel Khalife
For British GQ, Will Coldwell “pieced together the wild true story of Daniel Khalife, a young man who became a social media sensation in 2023 when he escaped from a London prison and went on the run for three days.”
Coldwell told Study Hall, “Khalife was being held on remand accused with spying for Iran – however he has always maintained that he hoped to become a double agent and utilize his contacts to help the British intelligence service.
Coldwell explained his reporting process: “Drawing on court documents, previously unpublished police interview transcripts and interviews with investigating officers, I tried to unpick whether Khalife – who is now in prison – really was a threat to national security, or just a mixed up kid. A blend of Catch Me If You Can and Burn After Reading, his story — a cocktail of angst and
espionage — offers a surreal glimpse into the high stakes world of modern spy games.”
Coldwell’s writing has appeared in The Guardian, FT Magazine, and WIRED UK.
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