British Couple's Appeal Against Espionage Convictions Denied
Craig and Lindsay Foreman, both 53, have lost their appeal against espionage convictions in Iran, according to their family.
The couple was sentenced to 10 years in prison in February after being found guilty of espionage charges, which they deny. The Foremans, originally from East Sussex, were arrested in January 2025 while traveling through Iran on a motorcycle as part of a round-the-world trip.
The family has stated that Craig and Lindsay were not allowed to attend their appeal hearing. Joe Bennett, Foreman’s son, expressed concern over the lack of transparency in the legal process.
“My mum, Lindsay, and stepdad, Craig, were not permitted to attend their own appeal hearing.
We don’t know if they received a proper account of what was argued on their behalf.
We know they had been asked to sign documents … documents they could not read, and they refused, but we don’t know the details of when, or what they were.
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 couple is currently imprisoned at Tehran’s Evin prison. The family reports that Craig Foreman is on the 25th day of a hunger strike, while Lindsay Foreman has been on hunger strike for 16 days. Additionally, Iranian authorities have reportedly cut off all communication between the couple and their family.
Bennett also shared that he met with officials from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) on Monday but left without clear information on what diplomatic pressure is being applied to Iran.
UK Government Response and Warnings
The FCDO issued a statement expressing disappointment over the appeal decision and reaffirmed its commitment to securing the couple’s safe return to the UK.
“We are disappointed by the appeal decision and will continue working to ensure that Craig and Lindsay are returned safely to the UK.
Since their arrest last year, Britain’s ambassador to Tehran, diplomats and officials in London have been working to provide consular assistance.
This includes the ambassador visiting them in prison and facilitating calls with their family back in the UK.
Minister Falconer last met the family on 18 May and the foreign secretary on 17 March.
Both set out to them personally how unjustified and appalling we consider Lindsay and Craig’s incarceration to be, and the action that the UK government is taking to try and secure their release.”
The FCDO also advises all British and British-Iranian nationals against traveling to Iran due to a significant risk of arrest, questioning, or detention.
