Summary
- The British government has strongly condemned the 10-year prison sentence handed to British nationals Craig and Lindsay Foreman in Iran on espionage charges.
- Craig and Lindsay Foreman were arrested on January 3 last year while traveling through Iran on a global motorcycle journey.
- Lindsay Foreman has been held in Tehran’s Evin Prison women’s section, while Craig has been detained in its political wing.
AI Generated Summary
The British government has strongly condemned the 10-year prison sentence handed to British nationals Craig and Lindsay Foreman in Iran on espionage charges. Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper described the sentence as “totally unjustifiable” and vowed that the UK will continue pressing for the couple’s safe return.
Craig and Lindsay Foreman were arrested on January 3 last year while traveling through Iran on a global motorcycle journey. Iranian authorities accused them of gathering intelligence in various regions of the country, though no evidence supporting the espionage charges has been publicly presented. The couple has now been held for over 13 months.
According to family statements, the Foremans faced a trial on October 27 that lasted just three hours, during which they were reportedly denied the opportunity to present a defense. Their son, Joe Bennett, expressed deep concern over the lack of transparency and the conditions of detention, urging the British government to “act decisively and use every available avenue” to secure their release.
The couple’s time in custody has reportedly been harsh. They have had limited access to legal counsel, endured periods of solitary confinement, and faced delays in receiving essential supplies. Consular visits have also been disrupted or canceled. Lindsay Foreman has been held in Tehran’s Evin Prison women’s section, while Craig has been detained in its political wing.
Human rights organisations have repeatedly criticized Iran for detaining foreign nationals on politically motivated charges, often using them as leverage in diplomatic disputes. Tehran, however, maintains that these cases involve genuine national security concerns.
Foreign Minister Cooper affirmed that the UK will continue providing consular support and pursue every diplomatic channel to ensure the couple is reunited with their family. She emphasized the government’s commitment to following the case “relentlessly” until the Foremans are safely back in the UK.
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