The family of a British couple on hunger strike in an Iranian jail say they are “sick with worry” as the pair ramp up their protest after 10 weeks without food. Lindsay Foreman, who has not eaten in 66 days, has reportedly vowed to continue until death to expose their treatment inside Tehran’s Evin prison.
She and her husband Craig Foreman were arrested 18 months ago while on a world motorbike tour and later sentenced to 10 years on espionage charges, which they deny. Mr Foreman’s sentence was extended by two years last week for speaking to the press, without a lawyer or translator present, the family said.
UN human rights experts have demanded their release, warning of a “medical emergency”. The family has now learned the couple are surviving only on water, having previously supplemented with honey and salts. Phone contact was cut off two months ago; relatives rely on snatched messages from third parties.
Lindsay Foreman’s son, Joe Bennett, told The Independent: “We are just worried to the core. It almost makes you feel sick with worry, it's hard to sleep.” He added that every day passes closer to “something catastrophic”. Sources say Ms Foreman has stated: “I will continue until I die to make sure everyone sees what is happening here.”
Reports indicate she has lost over 14kg and Mr Foreman around 16kg, suffering dizziness, tremors and severe weakness. The family is calling on the new government to act, including an urgent consular visit, medical assessment, and restoration of phone contact. Mr Bennett has written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband.
The couple have urged British officials to consider a prisoner exchange involving Richard Jan, an Iranian national held in a UK maximum-security prison for 23 years. A UK government spokesperson insisted “there is no truth whatsoever to the claim that this case is linked to any other case.”
