A British citizen imprisoned in Iran received an additional two-year sentence on top of his original 10-year term for talking to the media while in jail, as confirmed by his family. Craig Foreman and his wife, Lindsay, were arrested in January 2025 during their motorcycle trip from Europe to Australia and are both serving 10-year sentences on charges of espionage, which they deny.
Relatives of Craig revealed that he was informed of the extension to his sentence after speaking to the press from Evin Prison in Tehran. Lindsay’s son and family spokesperson, Joe Bennett, stated that Craig was unexpectedly presented before a judge instead of meeting his lawyer and was not given the chance to defend himself. The family was shocked by this development, considering it an unjust treatment.
Following an unsuccessful appeal, the couple went on a hunger strike in May. Craig began the strike on May 9, with Lindsay joining him nine days later. Their family reported that they have lost a substantial amount of weight and have been cut off from all communication by the Iranian authorities.
Recent reports from a human rights group in the US indicated that Craig lost approximately 16kg (35lb), while Lindsay experienced dizziness and body tremors. The family expressed concerns about the lack of communication and the failure to deliver essential supplies to the couple, including medication.
Their legal team plans to include the extended sentence in a formal complaint to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. According to Haydee Dijkstal, a member of their legal team, the couple’s detention violates international law and their right to a fair trial.
Despite pleas from the family to show leniency and allow the couple to return home, the UK Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy, mentioned that specific actions would not be appropriate at this time. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office is actively engaging with Iranian authorities regarding the reported extension of the sentence.