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Daily Record
5 days ago
- Daily Record
British couple accused of spying in Iran 'holding strong' after making first call home
Lindsay and Craig Foreman were detained in January while on a motorcycle tour around the world and later charged with espionage The family of a British couple detained in Iran's 'worst' prisons have confirmed that they are "holding strong", following their first direct conversation with them in seven months. Lindsay and Craig Foreman, from East Sussex, were arrested in January while on a global motorcycle tour that took them to Iran while travelling through the Middle East. They were subsequently charged with espionage, which they vehemently deny. The tourists' son, Joe Bennett, from Folkestone, Kent, shared details of an eight-minute call he had with his mother, during which they experienced a range of emotions. He said: "We laughed, we cried, and for a few brief moments, it felt like the weight of the past seven months lifted. He expressed his belief that his parents are "holding strong", noting their resilience, positivity, and noted "somehow, they're still smiling". Mr Bennett revealed that his parents are being held separately in different prisons and have access only to basic resources. He also shared with BBC Radio Kent that British officials reported his father appeared "dishevelled and had lost a lot of weight". His mother's mobility has been affected due to the conditions in the prison. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has advised British and British-Iranian nationals, who are at significant risk of detention, against travelling to Iran. A spokesperson stated: "We are deeply concerned by reports that two British nationals have been charged with espionage in Iran. We continue to raise this case directly with the Iranian authorities. "We are providing them with consular assistance and remain in close contact with their family members."
Powys County Times
5 days ago
- Powys County Times
Couple make first call home since being detained in Iran
A British couple detained in Iran are 'holding strong', their family have said after being able to speak to them directly for the first time in seven months. Lindsay and Craig Foreman, of East Sussex, were detained in January while on a motorcycle tour around the world and later charged with espionage. They deny the allegations. Their son Joe Bennett, of Folkestone, Kent, told the BBC he had an eight-minute call with his mother. He said: 'We laughed, we cried, and for a few brief moments, it felt like the weight of the past seven months lifted.' He feels his parents are 'holding strong', adding that 'they're resilient, they're positive, and somehow, they're still smiling'. The couple have been separated, are being held in different prisons and have access to basic resources, according to Mr Bennett. He also told BBC Radio Kent that British officials saw his father was 'dishevelled and had lost a lot of weight'. His mother is not walking well due to prison conditions. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advises British and British-Iranian nationals, who are at significant risk of detention, not to travel to the Middle Eastern country. A spokesman said: 'We are deeply concerned by reports that two British nationals have been charged with espionage in Iran. 'We continue to raise this case directly with the Iranian authorities. 'We are providing them with consular assistance and remain in close contact with their family members.'
Glasgow Times
5 days ago
- Glasgow Times
Couple make first call home since being detained in Iran
Lindsay and Craig Foreman, of East Sussex, were detained in January while on a motorcycle tour around the world and later charged with espionage. They deny the allegations. Their son Joe Bennett, of Folkestone, Kent, told the BBC he had an eight-minute call with his mother. He said: 'We laughed, we cried, and for a few brief moments, it felt like the weight of the past seven months lifted.' He feels his parents are 'holding strong', adding that 'they're resilient, they're positive, and somehow, they're still smiling'. Travel advice for Iran (FCDO) The couple have been separated, are being held in different prisons and have access to basic resources, according to Mr Bennett. He also told BBC Radio Kent that British officials saw his father was 'dishevelled and had lost a lot of weight'. His mother is not walking well due to prison conditions. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advises British and British-Iranian nationals, who are at significant risk of detention, not to travel to the Middle Eastern country. A spokesman said: 'We are deeply concerned by reports that two British nationals have been charged with espionage in Iran. 'We continue to raise this case directly with the Iranian authorities. 'We are providing them with consular assistance and remain in close contact with their family members.'
Leader Live
5 days ago
- Leader Live
Couple make first call home since being detained in Iran
Lindsay and Craig Foreman, of East Sussex, were detained in January while on a motorcycle tour around the world and later charged with espionage. They deny the allegations. Their son Joe Bennett, of Folkestone, Kent, told the BBC he had an eight-minute call with his mother. He said: 'We laughed, we cried, and for a few brief moments, it felt like the weight of the past seven months lifted.' He feels his parents are 'holding strong', adding that 'they're resilient, they're positive, and somehow, they're still smiling'. The couple have been separated, are being held in different prisons and have access to basic resources, according to Mr Bennett. He also told BBC Radio Kent that British officials saw his father was 'dishevelled and had lost a lot of weight'. His mother is not walking well due to prison conditions. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advises British and British-Iranian nationals, who are at significant risk of detention, not to travel to the Middle Eastern country. A spokesman said: 'We are deeply concerned by reports that two British nationals have been charged with espionage in Iran. 'We continue to raise this case directly with the Iranian authorities. 'We are providing them with consular assistance and remain in close contact with their family members.'
North Wales Chronicle
5 days ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Couple make first call home since being detained in Iran
Lindsay and Craig Foreman, of East Sussex, were detained in January while on a motorcycle tour around the world and later charged with espionage. They deny the allegations. Their son Joe Bennett, of Folkestone, Kent, told the BBC he had an eight-minute call with his mother. He said: 'We laughed, we cried, and for a few brief moments, it felt like the weight of the past seven months lifted.' He feels his parents are 'holding strong', adding that 'they're resilient, they're positive, and somehow, they're still smiling'. The couple have been separated, are being held in different prisons and have access to basic resources, according to Mr Bennett. He also told BBC Radio Kent that British officials saw his father was 'dishevelled and had lost a lot of weight'. His mother is not walking well due to prison conditions. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advises British and British-Iranian nationals, who are at significant risk of detention, not to travel to the Middle Eastern country. A spokesman said: 'We are deeply concerned by reports that two British nationals have been charged with espionage in Iran. 'We continue to raise this case directly with the Iranian authorities. 'We are providing them with consular assistance and remain in close contact with their family members.'
