Craig Foreman, a British man imprisoned in Iran on espionage charges, has received an additional two-year sentence for speaking to the press, his family has revealed. Foreman and his wife, Lindsay, were originally sentenced to 10 years in February after being convicted of spying, charges they both deny.
Additional Sentence Imposed Without Legal Representation
According to the couple's son, Joe Bennett, Foreman was told he was being taken to see his lawyer but was instead brought before a judge and informed of the extra sentence. 'Despite requests, he was allowed no lawyer, no translator and no opportunity to defend himself. He was told the two years had been added because he had spoken to the press,' Bennett said. The family described the development as 'absolutely flabbergasting.'
Hunger Strike Continues
Bennett stated that Foreman is on the 68th day of a hunger strike, while his wife is on her 59th day. A letter asking them to end the strike was reportedly not delivered. The couple, from East Sussex, were arrested in January 2025 while traveling through Iran on a round-the-world motorcycle trip and are held in Tehran's Evin prison.
In June, the family said the pair lost an appeal against their convictions and were unable to attend the hearing. Bennett appealed for mercy, saying, 'We are asking, with everything we have, for them to be shown mercy and allowed to come home.'
UK Government Response
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) warns against all travel to Iran due to a 'significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention.' The government previously called the 10-year sentences 'completely appalling and totally unjustifiable.' An FCDO spokesperson said the department was 'urgently following up with the Iranian authorities about the reported increased sentence.' The family also welcomed the appointment of former Conservative MP Alistair Burt as the UK's first envoy for complex consular cases.
