Timeline: How an imprisoned stalker is linked to the arrest of Craig and Lindsay Foreman in Iran
A. A British couple detained in Iran believe a pervert who languished in a maximum security prison in the UK for two decades could be the key to their release.
Craig and Lindsay Foreman, 53, called on the British government to deport Richard Jan, once described as Britain’s worst stalker.
The Iranian national was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of seven years in 2004 for arson and public nuisance, but was sentenced to more than 20 years in prison because of his deteriorating health.
Iranian authorities have repeatedly called for Jan to receive emergency medical care in prison and be repatriated to the country.
Craig and Lindsay, both 53, were arrested during a motorbike tour a month after Jan was refused release to Iran by the Parole Board in late 2024. They were later sentenced to 10 years in prison on espionage charges, which they completely denied.
Despite the State Department’s policy not to exchange prisoners, the couple believe it is “the only way” to negotiate their release after Jan’s case was raised by Iranian officials at a consular meeting last December.
Craig called for him to be deported in line with the UK’s policy of removing over-tariffed foreign criminals, adding: “If it means they can get us out with a swap, why not? From what I’ve heard, I believe this guy is quite old and ill at the moment. Of course, if he gets back to Iran via a prisoner swap, what harm could he do to the UK?”
A government spokesman said “allegations of a potential swap arrangement are completely untrue”.
Independent He examined how Jan’s imprisonment and Foreman’s arrest were connected:
9 July 2004: Jan was convicted
Richard Jan, a former biochemist at a hospital in north London, was sentenced to life imprisonment at London’s Guildhall Crown Court for two counts of arson with intent to endanger life and causing a public nuisance in a seven-year pursuit campaign. The minimum tariff was later set at seven and a half years.
August 8, 2010: January eligible for deportation
Jan’s minimum tariff has expired, making him eligible for deportation or parole. Under the Government’s Tariff Expired Deportation Scheme (Reverse), foreign criminals should be considered for deportation after their minimum term has expired. Born in north London to Iranian parents, Jan gave up his British passport in prison in anticipation of his deportation.
March 11, 2013: Deportation order issued
A deportation order was issued by the Home Office, but his removal was blocked by the Ministry of Justice if it risked undermining public confidence in the criminal justice system.
April 3, 2016: Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe arrested
British mother Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was arrested at the airport by members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as she tried to return to the UK with her 22-month-old daughter after visiting family in Iran.
January 14, 2020: Judge rejects judicial review of Jan
A High Court judge rejected an application by Jan’s lawyers for a judicial review against the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and the Home Office. Jan objected to the Ministry of Justice’s decision to prevent his deportation, claiming that it was disproportionate and undermined public trust.
October 4, 2021: Jan refuses parole
The panel admitted it was “impressed” by Iran’s proposals and found they could “effectively manage” Jan’s complex mental health issues. However, they concluded that the lifetime license conditions were not enforceable in Iran and refused to recommend his release in Iran. Jan applied for this decision to be reconsidered on 1 November.
November 24, 2021: Jan, Nazanin came up in the meetings
While Jan was appealing the denial of parole, the case was raised by the then ambassador Mohsen Baharvand at a meeting with Labor MP Tulip Siddiq upon the return of Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe from her electorate. The idea of a prisoner swap was rejected by Richard Ratcliffe, who later told authorities it was an insult that would create a “false equivalence” between the innocent British mother and a convicted criminal.
16 March 2022: Nazanin released after payment of £400 million debt
The mother was finally released after nearly six years in detention after Britain settled a £400 million outstanding debt with Iran from a failed arms deal dating back 40 years.
14 October 2022: ‘Richard’s Tragedy’ documentary released in Iran
A documentary about Jan’s plight was first broadcast on Iranian state television. This documentary focused on Jan’s life story, his ongoing imprisonment in Britain and his mother’s call.
December 5, 2024: Jan once again refuses parole
The Parole Board panel once again refused to release Jan, concluding that there was no point in considering Iran’s risk management plan as British authorities were unable to track him there. The judge who reviewed Jan’s rejection after he applied for reconsideration said he was “stuck in the system” but did not consider the panel’s decision to be unreasonable.
January 3, 2025: Craig and Lindsay arrested in Iran
Craig and Lindsay Foreman were arrested without explanation on January 3, 2025, while traveling from Isfahan to Kerman. They were passing through Iran on a world-wide motorcycle tour and entered via Armenia on December 30, 2024.
28 August 2025: Ambassador visits Jan in prison
Ambassador Seyed Ali Mousavi personally visited Jan at HMP Frankland, Durham. In a post on X following the visit, Mr Mousavi called for “immediate action” to address health concerns.
29 December 2025: Iranians tell Craig and Lindsay Jan is ‘an important man’
At the consular meeting held in prison with Lindsay, Craig and the British deputy ambassador, an Iranian official announced that they wanted to meet with the ambassador about Richard Jan.
The Foremans said the official was a “really important guy” they wanted to help and raised concerns that he wasn’t getting his medication.
February 18, 2026: Craig and Lindsay sentenced to 10 years in prison
Lindsay and Craig were sentenced to 10 years in prison by Judge Salavati on espionage charges; Judge Salavati also sentenced Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe.
February 2026: ‘Richard’s Tragedy’ re-released
The documentary about Jan was rebroadcast on Iranian state television and aired from Evin prison, monitored by Lindsay and Craig.
21 April 2026: Minister says it is ‘absolutely clear’ they were innocent tourists
Foreign Secretary Hamish Falconer confirmed Craig and Lindsay’s detention was “unfair”.
“This is an appalling situation and it is absolutely clear that these were innocent tourists, that is clear to all concerned,” he told the House of Commons.
“We have raised this issue with the Iranian regime many times, and I have raised this with Iranian representatives many times, as the Foreign Minister has done with his counterparts. We will continue to pursue this case; this is an injustice.”
May 2026: Craig and Lindsay go on hunger strike
Telephone contact with their families in England was lost and the couple went on a hunger strike.
2 June 2026: Appeal against sentences fails
As fears for their health intensified, it emerged that the couple had secretly failed in their appeal against their spying conviction and 10-year prison sentence. Craig was on his 25th day without food and Lindsay was on her 16th day when she learned their appeal bid had been rejected at a hearing they were not allowed to attend.
