Family says British couple's future in Iran must be central to peace negotiations
Calls are growing for Lindsay and Craig Foreman's release
Amid intensifying diplomatic peace discussions with Iran, there's repeated urgent calls for the release of British nationals Lindsay Foreman and Craig Foreman, who have been detained under challenging conditions in Tehran’s Evin Prison since January 2025.
The couple from Sussex, have been sentenced to a decade behind bars on charges they firmly deny, now there are fears their case is being used for leverage during this time of international discussions.
Conditions within Evin Prison are infamously harsh, often involving limited medical access and extended isolation periods for detainees. Dr Alice Edwards, UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, has warned that inadequate medical treatment can equate to cruel or degrading treatment.
This is especially relevant as Craig Foreman suffers from a painful, untreated abscess needing urgent medical care.
Joe Bennett, Lindsay Foreman's son, speaks of the family's growing distress: "Every day that passes is another day my mum and Craig are left in conditions no one should have to endure. Knowing Craig is in pain and not getting treatment is incredibly hard for us as a family. We just want them home."
The issue has garnered attention in Westminster, where a cross-party letter advocating for their release was sent to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, signed by 93 MPs and Peers, urging swift governmental action.
Sir Iain Duncan Smith raised the matter in Parliament, highlighting the conditions of their incarceration, urging a declaration of their detention as arbitrary and reaffirming their status as innocent tourists.
Minister Hamish Falconer responded for the Government: "This is a terrible case. It is absolutely obvious that they were innocent tourists. That is clear to all concerned. We have made that point repeatedly to the Iranian regime. We will continue to pursue this case. It is an injustice."
While this acknowledgement matters, it must translate into concrete measures, including formally recognising their detention as arbitrary and detailing steps to secure their return.
Lindsay Foreman uses her positive psychology training to support fellow inmates, but the physical and mental toll of their prolonged detention is mounting.
These detentions are not isolated incidents; globally, individuals are imprisoned without fair trials, sometimes finding themselves entangled in geopolitical disputes.
As diplomacy continues, Lindsay and Craig’s family and friends insist: "Do not forget them."
The family says for those undertaking negotiations, their objectives should include:
- Securing Lindsay and Craig Foreman's immediate release
- Securing Lindsay and Craig Foreman's immediate release
- Ensuring Craig gets the medical treatment he needs
- Keeping human rights central to all decisions