Craig and Lindsay Foreman, a British couple sentenced to 10 years in prison in Iran on espionage charges, have lost their appeal against the convictions, their family has confirmed. The couple, both aged 53, were arrested in January 2025 while travelling through Iran on a round-the-world motorcycle trip and convicted in February, allegations they deny.
Their family, from East Sussex, said they were not permitted to attend the appeal hearing. Lindsay Foreman's son, Joe Bennett, expressed frustration, stating: 'My mum and stepdad 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.' He added that the couple had been asked to sign documents they could not read and refused, but details remain unclear.
Bennett revealed that Craig Foreman is on day 25 of a hunger strike and Lindsay on day 16 at Tehran's Evin prison, with all communication cut off by Iranian authorities. He said a meeting with Foreign Office officials on Monday provided no 'clarity on what pressure is being applied to Tehran'. The case has now been referred to Iran's supreme court.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) expressed disappointment at the appeal decision, stating: 'We will continue working to ensure that Craig and Lindsay are returned safely to the UK.' The FCDO noted that Britain's ambassador has visited them in prison and facilitated family calls, and that ministers have met the family to condemn the incarceration and outline efforts to secure their release.
The FCDO continues to advise against all travel to Iran for British and British-Iranian nationals due to the 'significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention'.
