A British couple from East Sussex faces a decade behind bars in Iran’s Evin Prison after conviction on espionage charges. Lindsay and Craig Foreman were detained by authorities in January 2025 during a global motorcycle journey.
Denial of Charges and Swift Trial
The pair continues to reject the spying accusations. Their trial concluded in just three hours, during which they could not mount a defense. Family members report no evidence supports the claims.
Government Response
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned the verdict as “completely appalling and totally unjustifiable.” She pledged relentless efforts with Iranian officials to secure the couple’s release and reunion with loved ones in the UK.
Family’s Urgent Plea
Lindsay’s son, Joe Bennett, expressed deep worry for his parents’ well-being. “My parents have now been sentenced to 10 years following a trial that lasted just three hours and in which they were not allowed to present a defence,” Bennett stated. He urged swift UK government action through all channels.
In January, Bennett rallied alongside former detainee Anoosheh Ashoori and activist Richard Ratcliffe, who campaigned for his wife Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s freedom from Iran.
Harsh Prison Conditions
Craig Foreman described his ordeal ahead of sentencing. Confined to an eight-foot cell with basic facilities, he said the experience shattered him emotionally and physically. The couple receives one monthly visit despite nearby cells, just 70 meters apart.
“For Lindsay, and for me, seeing each other is the only thing that’s keeping us going right now,” Foreman shared. “I love my wife dearly. She’s the love of my life.”
Foreman issued a direct appeal to the UK government: “One word would be: help. Full stop.” He questioned the prolonged detention, now exceeding 13 months, in modern times.
