British Couple Detained in Iran: Son Pleads for Parents’ Release, Denying Espionage Claims
British Couple Detained in Iran: Son Pleads for Parents’ Release, Denying Espionage Claims
The harrowing ordeal of Craig and Lindsay Foreman, a British couple from East Sussex, continues as they remain detained in Iran. Arrested in January during what was described as a “once-in-a-lifetime” motorbike journey around the globe, the Foremans have since been formally charged with espionage. Their son, Joe Bennett, has made an impassioned plea, vehemently denying these accusations and stressing that his parents are innocent civilians caught in a complex geopolitical situation.
“I want to be crystal clear, my parents aren’t spies, they aren’t political players, they aren’t criminals. They’re Mum and Dad,” Bennett stated in an interview with BBC Breakfast, his voice heavy with emotion. The couple, both 52, embarked on their ambitious trip, traveling from Spain towards Australia, and entered Iran on December 31st. Their journey took a devastating turn when they were arrested shortly after, with espionage charges being levied against them in February.
The lack of communication has amplified the family’s distress. Bennett revealed he last spoke to his parents on January 3rd, days before their arrest. Since then, contact has been scarce, limited to a single “generic letter” from his mother and three welfare checks conducted by UK embassy officials, the most recent being in May. “That’s tough when you’re used to hearing someone’s voice every day,” Bennett shared, describing the immense psychological strain of such limited contact. He expressed deep concern for his mother’s well-being, mentioning she is sleeping on a “wafer-thin mattress,” a detail that causes his family significant distress.
Despite the challenges, the Foremans are reportedly trying to maintain their physical and mental strength. Bennett mentioned that his active parents, who enjoy activities like Parkrun, are keeping fit by “running figure of eights in their cell,” a testament to their resilience. However, the conflict between Iran and Israel, which escalated in June, introduced a new layer of fear. Bennett recounted the anxiety of not knowing if his parents were safe during this period, especially as the war led to the evacuation of UK embassy staff from Tehran.
Bennett believes his parents are being detained as a bargaining chip by the Iranian regime, leveraging their UK passports. He disputes the official Iranian narrative that they were arrested as part of a coordinated intelligence operation after entering the country “under the guise of tourists” and gathering information. The family insists they followed all proper procedures, obtaining the necessary visas and adhering to guidelines during their travels. “They followed every guideline in the book they could… that clearly wasn’t enough,” Bennett stated, underscoring the perceived injustice of their situation.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) acknowledges the situation, stating they are providing consular assistance and maintaining contact with the family. However, the FCDO’s current travel advice for Iran strongly discourages all travel, warning that British and dual-nationality citizens face a “significant risk” of arrest and detention, with consular support being “extremely limited.”
Bennett expressed his dissatisfaction with the government’s “quiet diplomacy” approach, which he feels has been ongoing for too long without clear progress. “We know where we stand and what we want, it’s over to you to make this happen,” he urged, calling for more decisive action to bring his parents home. The family’s frustration is palpable as they await concrete steps from the UK government to resolve the crisis.
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