British couple sentenced to 10 years in Iran on espionage charges
A British couple, Lindsay and Craig Foreman, were sentenced to 10 years in prison in Iran on espionage charges, hours after Lindsay spoke to the BBC describing the physical and mental toll of their detention.
The couple, who deny the accusations, were arrested in January 2025 while passing through Iran on a round-the-world motorcycle trip. In a rare phone interview from Tehran's Evin prison, Lindsay described their time in detention as "an endurance test for the mind" and said she had been trying to maintain her health by exercising in the cramped prison yard.
Her son, Joe Bennett, called the sentence "gut-wrenching" and said the Iranian authorities had presented no evidence of spying. He urged the UK government to take all available measures to secure their release, adding that the family had felt "abandoned" despite repeated appeals to the Foreign Office.
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Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned the sentencing as "completely appalling and totally unjustifiable" and assured that the UK would continue to pursue the case and provide consular support.
The Foremans had entered Iran from Armenia in December 2024 with visas, a guide, and an approved itinerary, aiming to reach Pakistan by early January. Despite this, they were detained, denied bail, and were not allowed to defend themselves in court. They are currently held in separate wings of Evin prison, notorious for harsh conditions and allegations of torture, alongside journalists and political prisoners.
Human rights groups have previously warned that foreign nationals in Iran are often detained as diplomatic leverage. In recent years, several British-Iranian citizens and other foreign nationals have been released only after government negotiations or settlements.
Lindsay Foreman said she had tried to engage with Iran's legal system, writing a letter to protest their treatment and seeking a fair hearing. She expressed hope that her physical health could recover once released, while acknowledging the challenges of staying positive in prison.
