Urgent Plea for Release of Brit Couple Detained in Iran

UPDATE: The family of British couple Lindsay and Craig Foreman, detained in Iran for nearly nine months, is urgently calling on the UK government to intensify efforts for their release. This plea follows the recent liberation of another British couple, Peter and Barbie Reynolds, who were held by the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Lindsay and Craig, both aged 52, were arrested while embarking on a dream motorcycle journey around the world in January. They have been facing espionage charges that they vehemently deny. The couple has been kept in separate prisons under dire conditions, with Craig in Evin Prison and Lindsay in Qarchak Prison.

The couple was last heard from on January 3, 2023, when they failed to check into their hotel in Kerman after a planned five-day stay in Iran. On February 13, 2023, Iranian state media reported their arrest. Their son, Joe Bennett, expressed hope that the Reynolds’ release would prompt UK authorities to increase pressure on Iran for Lindsay and Craig’s freedom.

“We are extremely relieved to hear that Peter and Barbie Reynolds have been released,” Bennett stated. “Our thoughts go out to them as they return home. No one should be held hostage abroad, not them and not our loved ones, Lindsay and Craig Foreman. We hope this will now put the spotlight on our UK government to do more.”

Conditions in the prisons are reportedly harsh. Craig shares a cramped room with 57 other men on triple bunk beds without mattresses. Lindsay is confined to a small area with around 70 women, where she sleeps on a metal bunk. The couple has been allowed a brief weekly phone call, offering only a small comfort amid their ordeal.

The Reynolds, aged 80 and 76, were held underground at the Taliban’s intelligence headquarters before being freed following negotiations led by Qatar. As they boarded a flight to Doha, Barbie conveyed her gratitude, stating, “My message is God is good, as they say in Afghanistan.”

Relatives of Lindsay and Craig are urging the UK government, led by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, to take swift action to resolve this “hostage situation.” The couple entered Iran on New Year’s Eve after traveling through Europe with valid visas and a pre-approved itinerary. Their adventure was intended to explore the meaning of a good life but has turned into a nightmare.

As the Foreman family continues to advocate for their release, the public is urged to share their story to increase awareness and pressure on government officials to act. The emotional toll on the family is significant, and they remain hopeful for a resolution that brings Lindsay and Craig home safely.

Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, and developments are expected in the coming days. The plight of the Foremans highlights the urgent need for diplomatic intervention in resolving such cases involving detained nationals abroad.