Lindsay and Craig Foreman, a British couple from East Sussex, have been sentenced by an Iranian court to 10 years in prison. The pair were detained in January 2025 during a round-the-world motorcycle journey. The British Foreign Office described the sentence as completely unjustified, and the family of the convicted couple warns of a lack of evidence in the case and appeals for London's immediate diplomatic intervention to secure their release.

Ten-year prison sentence

A British couple sentenced by the Revolutionary Court in Tehran to 10 years for espionage during a motorcycle trip.

Lack of evidence of guilt

The family of the convicted and the UK Foreign Office claim that no evidence was presented and the trial was a farce without defense participation.

Firm reaction from London

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper deemed the decision unjustified and announced diplomatic actions to secure the citizens' release.

British public opinion has been shaken by the harsh sentence handed down by the Revolutionary Court in Tehran. Lindsay and Craig Foreman, both aged 52, received a sentence of 10 years in prison for alleged espionage. The travel couple from East Sussex were detained on January 3, 2025 in the central part of the country while fulfilling their dream of a motorcycle trip around the world. Since their arrest, the couple has consistently rejected all accusations, claiming their presence in Iran was purely touristic. Relations between London and Tehran have been tense for years due to cases of detaining dual citizens, which Western countries often interpret as a form of 'hostage diplomacy.' The most famous case was that of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was only released after six years in 2022. British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned the Tehran court's decision, calling it "completely unjustified" and emphasizing that the government will take all possible steps to secure their return home. The son of the convicted, Joe Bennett, in a moving statement, noted that the Iranian side "has not presented any evidence" supporting the espionage charge. The convicts are currently held in the notorious Evin prison, where mainly political prisoners and foreigners are detained. The lack of permission for defense lawyers to participate in the trial last October further undermines the credibility of the verdict in the eyes of international organizations. 10 years — the length of the prison sentence for the British travelers Observers point out that the severity of the sentence may be part of Iran's broader geopolitical game against Western countries. The Foremans' situation puts pressure on Downing Street to move to more decisive actions beyond diplomatic notes. Meanwhile, the family expresses deep concern about the deteriorating mental and physical health of the couple, who have spent over a year in isolation. Evin remains a place where human rights violations are documented by numerous non-governmental organizations, heightening fears for the safety of the British citizens. Emphasizes human rights violations in Iran and calls for immediate sanctions and tough diplomacy from the British government. | Focuses on the strategic mistakes of travelers entering hostile states and the necessity of protecting the national interests of the United Kingdom.

Mentioned People

  • Lindsay Foreman — British tourist sentenced to 10 years in prison in Iran.
  • Craig Foreman — Husband of Lindsay, sentenced alongside her on espionage charges.
  • Yvette Cooper — British Foreign Secretary condemning the sentence.
  • Joe Bennett — Son of Lindsay Foreman, appealing for government help to free his mother and her husband.