The son of a British couple imprisoned in Iran has voiced grave fears for their safety and welfare following the UK government's decision to temporarily close its embassy in Tehran.
Family's Desperate Plea Amid Embassy Closure
Joe Bennett, the son of Lindsay Foreman, said his mother and her husband Craig are now in a 'dangerous position' after Britain evacuated its diplomatic staff on Wednesday. The couple, from East Sussex, were arrested in January last year during a global motorcycle tour and later charged with espionage, allegations they vehemently deny. They are being held in Tehran's notorious Evin prison.
Mr Bennett revealed his family's acute anxiety, stating that the couple's plan, should they be released, was to seek immediate sanctuary at the British embassy. 'The trouble is, their plan was to go to the embassy, to try to get to the embassy because they feel that that's safe ground and now... Where do they go? What do they do?' he told the BBC.
'Frightening' Conditions in Notorious Prison
In a brief communication with his family on Wednesday, Mr Bennett was told of appalling conditions inside Evin prison. He described 'frightening' circumstances, including vermin in the kitchen and beds. He also expressed concern about severe overcrowding, which he believes has worsened due to the recent wave of anti-regime protests across Iran.
Mr Bennett has previously spoken of the couple's 'deteriorating' physical and mental health, stating that every day in captivity 'chisels away at their mental and physical health'. He recounted heartbreaking phone calls where his mother has been crying and 'begging' to come home.
Frustration with UK Government Response
The son has expressed significant 'frustration' with the level of public support from the UK government, comparing it unfavourably to advocacy seen from France, the US, and Italy for their detained citizens. 'They (the Government) need to come out and defend their citizens - that is what we want,' he said. 'We want public acknowledgement that it is completely barbaric they are being held on these charges.'
Earlier this month, Mr Bennett, alongside other families of detainees like Richard Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori, handed a petition into Downing Street, calling for more action to secure the couple's release.
The embassy closure and evacuation of staff came after a security assessment amid a deadly crackdown on protests in Iran. An Iranian opposition website, Iran International, claimed that around 12,000 protesters had been killed by the regime as of Wednesday. Tehran's attorney general, Mohammad Movahedi Azad, has warned that protesters could face death penalty charges for being considered 'enemy of God'.
A UK government spokesperson confirmed the temporary closure, stating: 'We have temporarily closed the British Embassy in Tehran, this will now operate remotely.' The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) informed Mr Bennett they are still 'assessing the situation'.
