A British couple sentenced to 10 years in prison in Iran on espionage charges have lost their appeal against the convictions, their family has said.
Craig and Lindsay Foreman, both aged 53, were arrested in January 2025 during a global motorbike journey. They were handed the lengthy sentences in February after being convicted of espionage, which they deny. Details of the alleged offences have not been made public.
“Craig and Lindsay Foreman, 53, jailed for 10 years in Iran on espionage charges they deny, have lost their appeal, their family says. They were arrested in January 2025 during a global motorbike journey.”
Their family confirmed the appeal had been unsuccessful, but did not provide further details about the court's reasoning or any next steps. The couple's case has raised concerns about the safety of British nationals travelling to Iran, which has a history of detaining foreigners on security-related charges.
The Foreign Office has been providing consular support to the Foremans throughout their detention. Experts on Iran have noted that espionage cases are often used as leverage in diplomatic negotiations, but no official statement from the UK government was included in the available reports.
What happens next is unclear. The loss of the appeal means the couple will continue serving their sentences unless diplomatic efforts or a further legal challenge can secure their release.
What This Means For You British nationals considering travel to Iran should be aware of the heightened risk of detention, particularly if they are involved in activities such as overland travel or motorbike journeys that could be misconstrued as suspicious. The UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to Iran due to the risks of arbitrary arrest and unfair trials. Family members of Britons detained abroad can seek assistance from the Foreign Office's Consular Directorate.