Family say British couple jailed in Iran have lost appeal against convictions | Iran
A British couple jailed in Iran on espionage charges have lost an appeal against their convictions, their families said.
Craig and Lindsay Foreman, both 53, were sentenced to 10 years in prison in February after being convicted of espionage, which they both denied.
The couple’s family, from East Sussex, claimed they were not allowed to attend the appeal hearing.
They were jailed after being arrested in January 2025 while traveling through Iran on a world tour by motorcycle.
Foreman’s son, Joe Bennett, said the duo “didn’t understand the process” and that “the dial needs to change.”
She said: “Mum Lindsay and stepdad Craig were not allowed to attend their respective appeal hearings.
“We do not know whether they have received an accurate explanation of what was discussed on their behalf.
“We know they were asked to sign documents… documents they couldn’t read and they refused, but we don’t know the details of when that happened or what happened.
“Their case has now been referred to the high court, but we do not understand the process, the timeline or what, if anything, will be presented on their behalf.”
Family members of the couple stated that Foreman was on the 25th day of his hunger strike and his wife was on the 16th day in Evin prison in Tehran, and that all communication between them was cut off by the Iranian authorities.
Bennett said he met with officials from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) on Monday but left without “clarity about what kind of pressure was being put on Tehran”.
In a statement, the FCDO said: “We are disappointed with the appeal decision and will continue to work to ensure the safe return of Craig and Lindsay to the UK.
“Since their arrest last year, the British ambassador in Tehran, diplomats and officials in London have been working to provide consular assistance.
“This includes the ambassador visiting them in prison and facilitating meetings with their families in the UK.
“Minister Falconer last met with the family on 18 May and with the foreign minister on 17 March.
“They have both personally told us how unfair and appalling we find the imprisonment of Lindsay and Craig and the steps the UK government has taken to secure their release.”
The FCDO warns all British and Anglo-Iranian citizens not to travel to Iran due to the “significant risk of arrest, interrogation or detention”.
