Kerman, Iran – British couple Craig and Lindsay Foreman have been charged with espionage by Iranian authorities, according to the country’s judiciary news agency.
The couple, both aged 52, were arrested in the southern city of Kerman in January while on a world motorbike tour. Their detention only came to light last week.
Iran’s judiciary spokesman, Asghar Jahangir, claimed the couple entered Iran “under the guise of tourists” and gathered intelligence across multiple provinces.
The pair had crossed into Iran from Armenia on December 30 and had planned to travel to Pakistan by January 4.
In a statement, Mr. Jahangir said, “These individuals were cooperating with front organizations linked to the intelligence services of hostile and Western countries under the pretence of research and investigative activities.”
He further stated that the couple had been under surveillance by provincial intelligence agencies before their arrest as part of a “coordinated intelligence operation.”
The chief justice of Kerman province, Hojatoleslam wal-Muslimeen Hamidi, reinforced the allegations, stating that the couple’s connections with institutions affiliated with intelligence services had been confirmed. “Further investigations are ongoing,” he added.
The Foremans, originally from East Sussex, moved to Spain in 2019 and had been documenting their global journey on social media.
Prior to their arrest, they had posted positively about their experiences in Iran. Lindsay, a life coach with a doctorate in psychology, described their time there as “amazing,” while Craig, a carpenter, spoke of the “lovely people” in the country.
Their friend and former neighbour, Alison Smith, expressed shock at the news. “They’re just normal family people,” she told the BBC. “I was a bit surprised they chose to travel to Iran, but they probably thought they were going on an adventure.”
The couple had previously appeared on Channel 4’s television series A New Life in the Sun in 2022, showcasing their new life as expats in the Andalucia region of Spain. Described by friends as adventurous and sporty, they had undertaken numerous travel expeditions in the past.
Their arrest adds to a series of detentions involving foreign nationals in Iran, a country frequently accused of using dual nationals and foreigners as bargaining chips in diplomatic negotiations.
British authorities have yet to issue a formal statement on the case, but the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is reportedly in contact with the couple’s family and Iranian officials.
The charges against the Foremans come amid ongoing tensions between Iran and Western nations over various political and security issues.
While the specifics of the allegations remain unclear, Iran has a history of detaining foreigners on charges of espionage and security threats.
International human rights groups have frequently criticized Tehran for its treatment of foreign detainees, many of whom have been held without transparent legal proceedings.
The fate of Craig and Lindsay Foreman remains uncertain as they await trial in Iran. Their case has sparked concern among British citizens abroad, raising questions about the risks of traveling to countries with strained diplomatic ties to the UK. Family, friends, and supporters continue to hope for their safe and swift resolution.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members