LONDON (AP) — A British couple, Craig and Lindsay Foreman, who were detained in Iran on charges of espionage, have lost their appeal against their convictions, as confirmed by their family and the U.K. government on Tuesday. The couple was arrested in January 2025 while undertaking an around-the-world motorcycle journey. In February of the same year, they were sentenced to ten years in prison for espionage, allegations they both strongly deny.
The U.K. Foreign Office described the couple's imprisonment as "unjustified and appalling." A spokesperson stated, "We are disappointed by the appeal decision and will continue working to ensure that Craig and Lindsay are returned safely to the U.K." Since their arrest, Britain’s ambassador to Tehran, as well as diplomats and officials in London, have been engaged in efforts to provide consular assistance. These actions have included visits by the ambassador to the couple in prison and facilitating phone calls with their family in the U.K.
Lindsay Foreman’s son, Joe Bennett, reported that neither of the detainees was permitted to attend the appeal hearing. He highlighted concerns about their treatment, mentioning that they had been asked to sign documents that they were unable to read. Furthermore, he revealed that both Craig and Lindsay had initiated hunger strikes in protest of their situation. Bennett stated, "Their case has now passed to the Supreme Court, but we don’t understand the process, the timeline, or what, if anything, will be submitted in their name."
The U.K. government has long issued travel advisories for British and British-Iranian nationals, recommending against traveling to Iran due to its history of detaining and subsequently releasing Western nationals on security charges. Critics have accused the Iranian government of using Western detainees as leverage in international negotiations, a claim that Iran has consistently denied.
This is not the first time that a British national has faced serious allegations in Iran. In 2022, British-Iranian aid worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was released after serving more than five years in prison. She had been convicted of plotting to overthrow the Iranian government, a charge that she, along with her supporters and various human rights organizations, refuted.
The increasing tensions surrounding the Foreman case highlight the ongoing challenges faced by individuals traveling to countries with complex political climates. As diplomatic efforts continue, the situation remains a focal point of concern for the families involved and the U.K. government.
