Detention of Craig and Lindsay Foreman

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Map of the world showing the location of Iran (green) and the United Kingdom (orange). Iran United Kingdom Locator.svg
Map of the world showing the location of Iran (green) and the United Kingdom (orange).

Craig and Lindsay Foreman are a British couple who were detained in Iran in January 2025 on charges of espionage. [1] [2] As of the end of October 2025, they are still in prison. [3]

Contents

The couple, both in their early fifties, were on a global motorcycle journey as part of a psychology research project exploring the concept of the "good life." They entered Iran from Armenia around December 30, 2024, with plans to traverse the country and reach Pakistan by early January.

Events

Iranian authorities allege that the Foremans were "collecting information in different locations in the country" under the guise of tourism and research. The judiciary's media center claimed that their connections with intelligence agencies of hostile nations had been confirmed. In February 2025, the couple were held in custody in Kerman, central Iran. [4]

In mid-July 2025, the couple were still being held in custody. [5] [6] Their son expressed his concern to Sky News since the couple have recently been separated into different jails. Craig was transferred to Evin Prison, known as the harshest prison in Iran. [7] On an interview to Sky news on September 2025, their son, Joe Bennett, said they are locked in overcrowded cells with 50 other prisoners, in extreme heat and on metal bunks causing backaches; at that time there is still no date for the legal proceedings against them. [8]

By the end of October 2025, the pair were both held in Evin Prison and had appeared in court, with a court decision to be given at an undetermined date. [3] As of mid-November reports say the couple have began a hunger strike in protest against the lack of progress in their case and loss of hope regarding their release. [9] [10]

British response

The British Foreign Office has stated that it’s providing consular assistance to the detained nationals and remains in contact with local authorities. The Foremans' family has expressed significant concern about their ongoing detention, describing it as an "unexpected turn of events." [11] [12]

Modus operandi

This incident has drawn attention to Iran's history of detaining foreign nationals on security-related charges, known as "Iran's hostage diplomacy" and often viewed as leverage in international relations. Advocates and former detainees have urged the UK government to act swiftly to secure the Foremans' release, emphasizing the need for prompt and decisive action in such cases. [13] [14]

Ana Diamond, a British-Finnish dual-national and the founder of the campaign NGO Hostagesses Alliance, has told Sky News about her ordeal as a former prisoner in Iran, detained under similar charges, admitted the couple must be terrified adding that the arrest of a Craig and Lindsay Foreman shows the West has in its entirety failed to come up with a viable policy to counter Iran's hostage taking practice. [15]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "British couple on round-the-world trip charged with espionage after Iran detention". The Independent. 2025-02-18. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
  2. ↑ Rawnsley, Jessica (2025-02-18). "Iran charges detained Britons Craig and Lindsay Foreman with espionage". BBC. Archived from the original on 18 February 2025. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
  3. 1 2 "Lindsay and Craig Foreman: Iranian court hearing for detained British couple did 'not go well', says son". Sky News. 2025-10-28. Retrieved 2025-11-04.
  4. ↑ "British couple detained in Iran charged with espionage". Sky News. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
  5. ↑ Rose, Charlie (July 14, 2025). "Couple being held in Iran 'outrageous', MP says". BBC. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  6. ↑ Sherratt, Zac (July 23, 2025). "Couple held in Iran unhurt by Israeli bombing". BBC. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Family 'seriously worried' for parents detained in Iran's 'harshest prison'". Sky News. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
  8. ↑ "'They're in conditions you can't even imagine': Son of UK couple held in Iran renews plea for their release". Sky News. Retrieved 2025-09-14.
  9. ↑ "Access Restricted". www.telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-11-18.
  10. ↑ "British Prisoners Craig and Lindsay Foreman Go on Hunger Strike". 2025.
  11. ↑ "What we know as British couple Craig and Lindsay Foreman charged with espionage by Iran". Yahoo News. 2025-02-18. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
  12. ↑ "Couple detained in Iran to appear in court". BBC. 2025-09-24. Retrieved 2025-11-04.
  13. ↑ Abdul, Geneva (2025-02-18). "British motorcycling couple detained in Iran charged with espionage". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2025-02-18.
  14. ↑ AFP (2025-02-18). "Iran says jailed British couple charged with espionage". Gulf News: Latest UAE news, Dubai news, Business, travel news, Dubai Gold rate, prayer time, cinema. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
  15. ↑ Aed, London (2025-02-17). "Craig and Lindsay Foreman: 'West has failed to counter Tehran's hostage diplomacy'". The Sky. Retrieved 2025-11-14.