(Reuters) - A soldier who worked for Britain's top
commander in Afghanistan became a spy for Iran after being passed
over for promotion, a court heard on Monday.
Corporal Daniel James, 45, contacted Iranian officials in Kabul
while working in "a very trusted and sensitive position" as
interpreter for General David Richards, the British commander of
NATO forces in Afghanistan, prosecutors told Britain's Central
Criminal Court.
"The allegation in this case is that 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," prosecutor
Mark Dennis said.
James denies the charges.
The court was told James made telephone contact with Colonel
Mohammad Hossein Heydari who worked as Iran's military attache at
its embassy in Kabul and sent him coded messages in emails.
"(James was in) a unique position to overhear and glean a good deal
of operational or strategic information if he chose to do so,"
Dennis said.
"As General Richards himself puts it, the defendant's value as a
hostile intelligence agent to a third party with aims contrary to
that of the ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) and the
government of Afghanistan cannot be underestimated."
He was arrested in December 2006, a few months after contact had
been made. Police found a USB computer memory storage device in his
kitbag with confidential documents, including details of military
troop movements and knowledge of insurgent activities.
The court heard that James, who became a British citizen in 1986
and had previously worked as a salsa dance teacher in Brighton,
southern England, believed certain officers had been racist and had
prevented him being promoted to sergeant.
He was also said to be a fantasist.
"He has been described as something of a Walter Mitty character who
would no doubt find his new clandestine role as something exciting
and special," Dennis said.
James denies three charges under the Official Secrets Act of
communicating and collecting information likely to be useful to an
enemy, and wilful misconduct in a public office.
Mindef be careful when promoting and taking good care of
Scholar Officers, those left out may behave funny.