The family of a British couple, detained in Iran on espionage charges, says they are “seriously worried” after the pair were moved to the country’s “harshest prisons”.
Lindsay and Craig Foreman were seized in Kerman, in central Iran, in early January while on a round-the-world motorbike trip. Their family say they strongly deny any wrongdoing.
Their son, Joe Bennett, told Sky News the pair, from East Sussex, had been separated from the prison where they were staying together and moved to different jails in the Tehran area.
“Craig’s been moved now to Evin prison… which many people will recognise the name of, renowned as one of the harshest prisons, if not the harshest in Iran.
“It heightened our concerns because… the reports are damning… multiple people to a cell, overcrowding. And that’s for both my mum and Craig. We’re seriously worried for Craig and my mum’s welfare, but Craig more so at the moment.”
In a recent Instagram post, from an account campaigning for the couple’s release, the pair were described as “innocent British citizens – hostages, not criminals” and called for the UK government to do more.
Mr Bennett, who spoke to his mother three weeks ago, said: “It’s been 99 days since they both had a consular visit. These visits are vital to them… the only chance for someone independent to check on their welfare, give them a slice of normality. Without them, we as a family simply don’t know if they’re safe.”
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“It gives them… reassurance, but also they can be given stuff like clothes, like welfare packs, reading material just to make their days a little bit easier.
“We know from speaking to previous detainees that these visits were really, really crucial for the mental health and wellbeing,” he added.
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Mr Bennett described what was “supposed to be the trip of a lifetime… very quickly turned into something of a nightmare”.
He said: “The family has been rocked by this. They are seasoned travellers. They have a deep love for meeting new people and experiencing cultures. You know, they are meant for one another.
“And we all desperately, desperately want them back. We’re praying and fighting every day to make sure that they are home as soon as possible.”
The Foreign Office told Sky News: “We are deeply concerned by reports that two British nationals have been charged with espionage in Iran. We continue to raise this case directly with the Iranian authorities.
“We are providing them with consular assistance and remain in close contact with their family members.”
The UK government advises against all travel to Iran, adding that British and British-Iranian dual nationals are at significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention.
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori, who are dual British-Iranian citizens, were released in March 2022 after years held captive in Iran.
