A British couple sentenced to 10 years in an Iranian prison has urged the UK government to deport an Iranian stalker, claiming he is their best hope for freedom. Craig and Lindsay Foreman, detained 17 months ago during a world motorbike tour, say officials have linked their case to Richard Jan, once described as Britain's worst stalker.
The Foremans, who deny espionage charges, say Iranian officials raised Jan's case during a consular meeting in Tehran on 29 December 2025. Craig Foreman called it a 'light bulb moment' as it was the first time any Iranian demands had emerged since their arrest. However, Foreign Office diplomats have dismissed the issue, saying the official does not represent Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Jan, a former British-Iranian dual national who renounced his British citizenship, has been jailed for 23 years for stalking. He is now in a wheelchair with worsening health. The Independent and Sky News have uncovered a 15-year campaign by Iranian officials for Jan to receive healthcare in prison and be returned to Iran.
Craig Foreman said from Evin prison: 'This guy Richard Jan is like us, rotting away. He's a sick man. He's costing the taxpayers a lot of money.' He added: 'If it means that they can get us out by doing a swap, then why not?' The couple have launched a hunger strike after phone contact was cut off.
Their son Joe Bennett questioned why the government continues to hold Jan in a category A prison costing £92,437 per year, saying: 'If there's a solution out there to get my parents back, why are we not exploring it?' The Foreign Office maintains a policy against prisoner exchanges.
