A British couple jailed in Iran on espionage charges have lost their appeal against conviction, their family has said. Craig and Lindsay Foreman, both 53, were sentenced to 10 years in February after being found guilty of spying, allegations they deny.
The couple, from East Sussex, were arrested in January 2025 while travelling through Iran on a round-the-world motorcycle trip. Their family claims they were not allowed to attend their own appeal hearing. Lindsay Foreman's son, Joe Bennett, said: '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.'
Bennett added that the couple have been asked to sign documents they could not read and refused. Their case has now been referred to Iran's supreme court, but the family says they do not understand the process or timeline. Craig Foreman is on day 25 of a hunger strike, and Lindsay on day 16, at Tehran's Evin prison, with all communication between them cut off by Iranian authorities.
Bennett said he met Foreign Office officials on Monday but left without clarity on what pressure is being applied to Tehran. He has now appealed directly to US President Donald Trump, saying the UK government has let them down. The Foreign Office said it was 'disappointed' by the appeal decision and would continue working for their safe return, noting that the British ambassador has visited them in prison and facilitated calls with family.
