Army interpreter found guilty of spying for Iran
An army interpreter has been found guilty of spying for Iran
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Wednesday, 05, Nov 2008 04:58
An army interpreter, who worked for Britain's top general in Afghanistan, has been found guilty of spying for Iran.
Daniel James, a personal interpreter for General Sir David Richards, was convicted of one count under the 1911 Official Secrets Act, in relation to emails sent to an Iranian contact.
The court heard that James, 45, sent coded messages to an Iranian military attaché in Kabul, stating: "I am at your service".
He was today found guilty of communicating information to an enemy. Jurors are still deliberating charges of collecting documents useful to an enemy and wilful misconduct in public office.
Prosecutor Mark Dennis described James' actions as the "height of betrayal".
"During the latter part of 2006, the defendant's loyalty to this country wavered and his loyalties turned to Iran, the country of his birth," he said.
"He turned his back on those with whom he was serving in Afghanistan and sought to become an agent for a foreign power."
After joining the Territorial Army he was sent to Afghanistan in May 2006, where he worked for General David Richards, who is now head of the British Army.
He was arrested in December 2006, two months after allegedly making contact with an Iranian colonel.
The BBC quote a Ministry of Defence spokesman as saying: "We have noted the verdict of the court in this case. In line with normal procedures the Army will now be discharging Corporal James from the Territorial Army."
James told the court he remained a loyal British soldier, describing the accusations of him being a spy as "mad".