Verdict anticipated for UK biker couple detained in Iran
The family of a British motorcycling couple detained in Iran say they are frustrated and worried about a forthcoming verdict.
The family of a UK motorcycling couple detained in Iran since January are fearing for the couple’s health as they wait for a verdict to be delivered in the case.
Lindsay and Craig Foreman were on a sweeping road trip from the UK to Australia when they were arrested in late January and charged with espionage. The couple deny the charges.
According to Lindsay Foreman’s son, Joe Bennett, the couple had a court hearing in Tehran on Saturday and a verdict and sentence in the case could be handed down in a few days.
News of the proceedings travels slowly, according to Bennett, who has expressed frustration with the diplomatically tight-lipped UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). That’s the government department tasked with a number of diplomatic responsibilities, including the protection of the interests of British citizens overseas.
The FCDO advises all British and British-Iranian nationals to avoid traveling to Iran because of a “significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention,” but it has not offered much comment on the specific situation of the Foremans outside of the following:
“We are deeply concerned by reports that Craig and Lindsay Foreman have been charged with espionage in Iran. We continue to raise this case directly with the Iranian authorities… The FCDO are providing them with consular assistance and remain in close contact with their family members.”
Taking a step back, it is understandable why the FDCO are saying so little. Government statements can sometimes harm a delicate situation more than help. But it is understandably upsetting and angering for the Foremans’ family members.
“I have nightmares thinking about how Mum and Craig can possibly be coping with this injustice,” Bennett told Radio 4’s Today programme. “Hearing false accusations, feeling helpless to be able to defend themselves, knowing that their words have been mistranslated.”
Bennett says he is deeply concerned about his mother and stepfather’s health.
“Craig is constantly ill, multiple rounds of stomach bugs, flu, dental problems, without the correct medical care,” Bennett told BBC News. “It’s to my understanding that my mum was on a drip last week. Unsure as to why, but obviously very, very concerning for us as a family.”
The family has been doing its best to put pressure on the FDCO and government officials. According to a report in the Guardian, they are due to meet with Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper in the coming weeks.
“If it does go on for years, then we’ll keep pushing for years,” Bennett told the BBC. “Hopefully it doesn’t and we can resolve it a lot sooner than that, and that’s why as a family and as a campaign team we will endeavour to make sure we leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of getting them back.”
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Chris Cope is a fourth-generation journalist, originally from Texas. He has lived in the UK for roughly two decades and has been writing about motorcycles for most of that time. He has written for dozens of publications and websites in the UK, US, Canada, and Australia.
