Sussex couple in Iran prison say situation is 'life-threatening'
Craig Foreman has spoken publicly from Evin Prison, reaching out for help
Last updated 10 hours ago
A couple from Sussex, who are being held in a prison in Iran, are appealing for urgent intervention from the UK government amid rising tensions in the region.
Craig and Lindsay Foreman have been sentenced to 10 years behind bars after being accused of spying, which they deny.
The couple were detained in January last year while passing through the country as part of an around-the-world motorcycle trip.
The British nationals find themselves caught in a precarious and increasingly dangerous situation as explosions continue to strike near the prison.
Craig Foreman has spoken publicly from Evin Prison, reaching out for help, as the area around the prison has become part of an active war zone. He said they are living in constant fear with no access to evacuation plans or safe shelter, while basic supplies and medical care dwindle:
“My name is Craig Foreman. I've been a carpenter and joiner all my life, and I've been happily married to Lindsay for the last 10 years. We are both currently serving 14 months into a 10-year prison sentence in Evin Prison, Tehran, for crimes that were never committed; spying for the UK and Israel.
"We are now in a prison in a war zone. We have gone from a challenging situation to a life-threatening situation."
He called on UK government figures including Sir Keir Starmer, Yvette Cooper, Hamish Falconer, and Hugo Shorter to publicly acknowledge their innocence to aid in their release.
Joe Bennett, Lindsay's son, shared the family's distress, saying they've faced difficult conversations about the couple's 10-year sentence, the closure of the British Embassy, and the lack of public recognition of their arbitrary detention.
Bennett explained their dire living conditions, describing metal bunks without mattresses and Craig's untreated dental abscess. He emphasised the need for immediate action from the UK Government to formally reject the charges and recognize the detention as arbitrary.
The family's appeal includes pushing for a clear public statement from the government and a transparent strategy for the couple's safe return.
“My parents are innocent tourists trapped in a war zone. Every day without action puts them at greater risk. They deserve better, and so does every British citizen who expects their government to stand up for them.”
The Foreign Office's website advice on not travelling to Iran states: "Having a British passport or connections to the UK can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to detain you."