British Couple Gets 10 Years in Iran Prison for Espionage During Motorcycle Tour
Lindsay and Craig Foreman receive 10-year prison terms in Iran, UK condemns the verdict and pledges diplomatic action.
A British couple, Lindsay and Craig Foreman, have been sentenced to ten years in prison in Iran on charges of espionage, the UK government confirmed on Thursday. The couple, both in their fifties, were arrested last January while travelling through Tehran as part of their world motorcycle tour.
The families of the Foremans have maintained that the couple consistently denied any wrongdoing, and raised concerns about the lack of due process. According to their son, Joe Bennett, the sentencing followed a brief three-hour court hearing in October last year, during which the couple was reportedly not allowed to present a defence.
“They have consistently denied the allegations, and we have seen no evidence to support the charge of espionage,” Bennett said, stressing the family’s worry over the couple’s welfare and the opacity of Iran’s judicial proceedings.
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The UK government condemned the verdict as “completely appalling and unjustifiable.” British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that the government would pursue the case relentlessly, prioritising consular assistance and the safe return of Lindsay and Craig to the United Kingdom.
Iranian authorities, however, have maintained that the couple entered the country under the guise of tourists and were engaged in gathering intelligence. Lindsay Foreman is currently held in the women’s section of Evin Prison, while Craig remains in the political wing, a facility criticized by international human rights organizations for overcrowding and harsh conditions.
Families have also raised concerns regarding cramped cells, insufficient food, and lack of legal representation, highlighting that the Foremans may be caught in the middle of ongoing geopolitical tensions between Western nations and Iran. The UK government continues diplomatic efforts to secure their release.
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