AP, London, 28 November 2008 (excerpts) – A former British army interpreter in Afghanistan who was convicted of espionage was sentenced to 10 years in prison Friday.

Iranian-born Daniel James, who translated for NATO’s commander in Afghanistan, was sentenced after the Crown Prosecution Service said it would not seek a retrial on two other charges on which a jury deadlocked.

James was stationed in Afghanistan in 2006 as an interpreter for Gen. David Richards, then-NATO commander in the country. Richards has since been appointed as the next head of the British army.

Prosecutors said James began sending coded e-mails after meeting Col. Mohammad Hossein Heydari, military attache at the Iranian Embassy in Kabul, in late August 2006. One allegedly read, “I am at your service.”

Justice Roderick Evans said James should never have been in such a sensitive position because of his nationality, his disenchantment with the army and his narcissistic personality.
“The gravest part of your offending and what made this case unique was that you engaged in this activity when you were actually serving in a war zone,” Evans said.

Born Esmail Gamasai in Tehran, James came to Britain at age 15 and became a British citizen.
After leaving college without qualifications, he worked as a casino croupier and became a dedicated bodybuilder, once competing in a Mr. Universe contest. He joined the Territorial Army, a reserve force, in 1987.