British Couple Detained in Iran, Charged with Espionage
Two British nationals, identified as Craig and Lindsay Foreman, have been formally charged with espionage in Iran, Al Jazeera reports, citing the Iranian judiciary’s Mizan news agency.
The charges were brought on Tuesday after the couple were allegedly found gathering information in various regions of the country.
The news agency reported that the couple, who reportedly entered Iran as tourists, allegedly collected information in several provinces. According to British media outlets, the Foremans are a married couple in their early fifties who were embarking on a round-the-world motorbike trip.
Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards have a history of arresting foreigners and dual nationals, often on espionage and security-related charges.
The British Foreign Office confirmed it is providing consular assistance to the detained couple and is in contact with Iranian authorities regarding their case. In a statement released over the weekend, the couple’s family said they were engaging with relevant authorities to ensure their safe return home.
According to Mizan, a judicial official stated that investigations are ongoing into alleged links between the couple and Western intelligence services. Authorities accused them of “cooperating with covert institutions linked to the intelligence services of hostile and Western countries.”
The couple reportedly admitted to ignoring warnings against traveling to Iran as part of their “slightly bonkers” global motorbike adventure. Before their detention, the couple documented their journey on social media, detailing their travels through various countries including Italy, Albania, Greece, and Turkey.
In a Facebook post from late December, Lindsay Foreman, a life coach with a doctorate, wrote that they had traveled “12,499 miles across 13 countries” and were having “an amazing time.” Craig Foreman, a carpenter, had praised the “lovely people” of Iran in their social media posts.
The couple had reportedly been conducting a research project on what makes a “good life,” with Lindsay stating that she had interviewed over 360 people.
Iranian authorities stated that the Foremans crossed into Iran from Armenia in December.
