British biker Craig Foreman handed an extra two years in Iranian prison

The prison ordeal facing British motorcyclist Craig Foreman has reportedly worsened, with the East Sussex rider handed an additional two years behind bars by Iranian authorities. The extension to his sentence is on top of the decade-long sentence he and his wife Lindsay received earlier this year.

The couple, arrested while travelling through Iran during an overland motorcycle journey towards Australia, were convicted of espionage charges in February 2026 following more than a year in detention. Both have consistently denied the allegations against them, while their family, supporters and international human rights groups have described the case as politically motivated.

According to statements released by the family's spokesperson, Craig was informed of the additional sentence during what he believed was a meeting with his lawyer. Instead, he was reportedly taken before a judge and told he had received a further two years in prison for speaking to media outlets while incarcerated. The family claims he was not provided with legal representation, translation services or an opportunity to defend himself before the decision was made.

Craig and Lindsay Foreman were detained in January 2025 after entering Iran from Armenia as part of a round-the-world motorcycle trip. The couple had been travelling with valid visas, an approved itinerary and a local guide as they crossed the country en route to Pakistan and eventually Australia. Their arrest sent shockwaves through the overlanding and motorcycle travel communities, not least because many riders have traditionally viewed Iran as one of the more welcoming destinations along the historic Europe-to-Asia route.

Since their imprisonment, the pair have become one of the highest-profile examples of what critics describe as Iran's use of foreign nationals as diplomatic leverage. United Nations experts recently described the couple's detention as a form of "state hostage taking for political leverage" and called for the convictions to be overturned, citing concerns around due process, legal representation and the absence of evidence presented during the trial.

The family's concerns have also focused on conditions inside Tehran's Evin prison, where the couple are being held separately. Both reportedly began hunger strikes earlier this year after appeals against their convictions failed and communication with relatives in the UK was restricted.

For the motorcycle world, the story remains a sobering reminder of the risks involved in international overland travel, particularly through countries where diplomatic relations with the UK remain strained. 

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