British Couple Jailed In Iran On Espionage Charges

When Lindsay and Craig Foreman set out from East Sussex on an around-the-world motorcycle adventure, they could never have imagined their journey would leave them languishing in Tehran’s infamous Evin prison. Yet, as of February 2026, that is precisely where the couple—both in their 50s—find themselves, sentenced to ten years behind bars on espionage charges that they, their family, and the British government fiercely deny. The Foremans’ ordeal began in January 2025. According to BBC and ITV News, the couple entered Iran with valid visas, a licensed guide, and a cleared itinerary—hardly the profile of covert agents. Their son, Joe Bennett, has been the family’s public voice throughout this crisis. He told ITV News that his parents “have now been sentenced to ten years following a trial that lasted just three hours and in which they were not allowed to present a defence.” He added, “They have consistently denied the allegations. We have seen no evidence to support the charge of espionage.” The trial itself, held in October 2025 at Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, was presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati—an official notorious for his severe sentences in political and protest-related cases, as reported by Iran International. The Foremans’ lawyers were told there was no legal basis for the charges, and their applications for bail went ignored. The verdict, delivered in February 2026, shocked their family and the wider British public. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper minced no words when she condemned the outcome. “This sentence is completely appalling and totally unjustifiable,” she declared, as quoted by BBC. “We will pursue this case relentlessly with the Iranian government until we see Craig and Lindsay Foreman safely returned to the UK and reunited with their family. In the meantime, their welfare is our priority and we will continue to provide consular assistance to them and their families.” The couple’s son, Joe Bennett, expressed deep concern about their welfare and the “lack of transparency” in the judicial process. He told ITV News, “We now hope the UK Government will act decisively and use every available avenue to secure their release.” In January 2026, Bennett was joined by former detainee Anoosheh Ashoori and Richard Ratcliffe—who had previously campaigned for the release of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe—at the steps of Number 10 Downing Street to deliver a petition with 70,000 signatures, calling for stronger government action. The conditions the Foremans face in Evin prison are harrowing. The couple is held in separate wings, about 70 meters apart, and are allowed to see each other only once a month. According to Bennett, they have endured 13 months in dire circumstances, “surrounded by dirt, vermin, and violence,” and both have been losing weight. As BBC reports, the prison itself is notorious for alleged torture and inhumane treatment of detainees. Lindsay Foreman, in a desperate act of protest, began a hunger strike in November 2025. During a brief phone call, she told her son that “not eating was the only power she’s got.” Craig Foreman provided a glimpse into the psychological toll of their imprisonment. “I don’t understand why we have been here for 13 months, being held hostage in 2026. In what day and age does this (happen)? When does this end?” he said to ITV News. He described the grim reality of life in Evin: “an eight-foot cell with a hole in the floor and a sink.” After 57 days in solitary confinement, he confessed, “Emotionally and physically, it broke me to pieces.” Yet, amid the bleakness, he found solace in his monthly meetings with Lindsay. “I know her prison is just 70 metres away, and I get to see her once a month. For me and for Lindsay, seeing each other is the only thing that’s keeping us going right now. I love my wife dearly. She’s the love of my life.” The Foremans’ case has become emblematic of what rights groups and Western governments have called “hostage diplomacy.” As Iran International and France 24 have documented, Iran has a history of detaining foreign nationals, often on vague or unsubstantiated charges, to gain political leverage. Tehran, for its part, rejects these allegations, claiming it is defending itself against Western intelligence infiltration. The couple’s arrest was not the only instance of harsh judicial measures in Iran in recent months. The same court that tried the Foremans has presided over the cases of numerous protesters and dissidents, many of whom have faced death sentences or lengthy prison terms. Judge Salavati, who oversaw their trial, has held virtual hearings in which detainees are tried in groups of 14, often without access to their chosen lawyers or the ability to mount a defense. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Iran Human Rights, have highlighted systemic due process violations and the use of forced confessions extracted under torture. The wider context in Iran is one of escalating repression. Tens of thousands have been arrested during nationwide protests, with reports of mass raids, beatings, and even killings by security forces. In the words of Joe Bennett, “We were previously told that once sentencing occurred, further action would follow. We now hope the UK Government will act decisively and use every available avenue to secure their release.” Despite the darkness of their situation, the Foremans’ resilience shines through. Their journey, which began as an adventure, has become a test of endurance and hope. As they await their next court appearance in Tehran, their family and supporters continue to press for their release, refusing to let their story fade into silence. The fate of Lindsay and Craig Foreman remains uncertain, but their case has galvanized a community of advocates and drawn renewed attention to the plight of foreign detainees in Iran. For now, their loved ones—and a watching world—wait anxiously for the day when the couple can finally come home.