LONDON — British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has issued a blistering condemnation of the Iranian judiciary following the sentencing of an East Sussex couple to a decade behind bars. Lindsay and Craig Foreman, who were detained in January 2025 during a round-the-world motorcycle expedition, were handed 10-year sentences on Thursday for alleged espionage—charges the UK government has dismissed as “totally unjustifiable.”
The verdict marks a grim milestone in a 13-month ordeal that has seen the Foremans held in the infamous Evin Prison, a facility synonymous with the detention of political prisoners and foreign nationals.
A Quest for Connection Turned Nightmare
The Foremans, both in their 50s, entered Iran with what their family describes as a “cleared itinerary,” valid visas, and a licensed local guide. Their goal was a global motorcycle tour focused on cross-cultural connection. However, they were intercepted in the southeastern province of Kerman and accused of gathering sensitive information under the guise of tourism.
According to the couple’s son, Joe Bennett, the judicial process was a “shadow of justice.” The Foremans appeared before Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court in October 2025 for a trial that reportedly lasted only three hours. During the proceedings, the defense was allegedly barred from presenting any evidence or testimony.
“Appalling and Unjustifiable”
Speaking from London, Yvette Cooper signaled that the UK would not accept the ruling as final. “This sentence is completely appalling and totally unjustifiable,” Cooper stated. “We will pursue this case relentlessly with the Iranian government until we see Craig and Lindsay Foreman safely returned to the UK and reunited with their family.”
The Foreign Office has prioritized the couple’s welfare, noting that Lindsay Foreman has previously engaged in hunger strikes to protest their detention. The family reports that both have suffered significant weight loss and psychological distress due to prolonged periods of solitary confinement and the “dire conditions” of their separate wings in Evin Prison.
The Geopolitics of Detention
Human rights organizations and diplomatic analysts view the Foremans’ sentencing through a broader lens of “hostage diplomacy.” Historically, Iran has used the detention of Western nationals as leverage in wider international disputes—a tactic previously seen in the high-profile cases of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori.
- Current Status: The Foremans remain in Evin Prison as of February 19, 2026.
- Government Action: The UK is currently providing consular assistance and escalating diplomatic pressure via the UN and direct channels in Tehran.
- Family Appeal: Joe Bennett has called on the British government to “act decisively,” urging a shift from diplomatic concern to active negotiation for their immediate release.
A Nation Watches
As the story of the Foremans galvanizes public support—including a 70,000-signature petition delivered to Number 10 Downing Street—the case stands as a stark reminder of the risks facing travelers in volatile regions. For the Foremans, the dream of an Aegean-to-Asia adventure has been replaced by a fight for survival in a 70-meter gap between their respective prison cells.
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper Picture by Chatham House on Flickr
