Britain has condemned a 10-year prison sentence handed down in Iran to a British couple, describing the ruling as unjustifiable and vowing to seek their release.
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper criticised the decision after Lindsay and Craig Foreman, from East Sussex, were sentenced following espionage charges.
The couple were arrested in January 2025 while travelling through Iran during a round-the-world motorcycle trip. They are currently being held in Evin Prison in Tehran and have denied the allegations.
“This sentence is completely appalling and totally unjustifiable,” Cooper said, adding that the British government would pursue the case “relentlessly” until the pair are safely returned to the United Kingdom.
Joe Bennett, Lindsay Foreman’s son, told ITV News that the family had been informed of the sentence last week and remained deeply concerned about the couple’s welfare.
He criticised what he described as a lack of transparency in the judicial process, stating that the trial lasted only three hours and that his parents were not allowed to present a defence.
Ahead of the sentencing, Craig Foreman had appealed for assistance, describing harsh detention conditions, including 57 days in solitary confinement.
The case adds to ongoing diplomatic tensions between London and Tehran, with UK officials reiterating their commitment to securing the couple’s release through diplomatic channels.
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