A British citizen imprisoned in Iran has reportedly been given an additional two-year sentence on top of his existing 10-year term after engaging with the media from his prison cell, as confirmed by his family. Craig Foreman and his wife, Lindsay, were both sentenced to 10 years in prison after being arrested in January 2025 during their motorcycle journey from Europe to Australia. They were charged with espionage, a crime they strongly deny.
According to Craig’s relatives, his sentence extension was revealed to him after he communicated with the media from Tehran’s Evin Prison. Lindsay Foreman’s son and family representative, Joe Bennett, disclosed that Craig was unexpectedly presented before a judge instead of meeting his lawyer, where he learned about the added two-year term. Bennett stated that Craig was deprived of legal representation, a translator, and the chance to defend himself. He emphasized their shock and dismay at the unjust treatment.
The extension of the sentence follows the couple’s hunger strike in May after their appeal was unsuccessful. Craig started the hunger strike on May 9, with Lindsay joining him nine days later. The family expressed concerns over their deteriorating health and the lack of communication with the authorities. Human rights group HRANA reported that Craig lost about 16kg (35lb) while Lindsay experienced dizziness and tremors.
The family highlighted that the couple did not receive a letter urging them to end the hunger strike and faced shortages of essential supplies. They criticized the lack of basic rights granted to the pair and condemned the secretive extension of Craig’s sentence. The family’s legal team plans to lodge a formal complaint with the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention regarding the additional sentencing.
Haydee Dijkstal, a member of the Foremans’ legal team, argued that the couple’s detention violated international law and their right to a fair trial. The family had previously appealed to Iranian authorities for clemency and urged the British Ambassador to Tehran and the UK government to intervene. However, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy suggested that specific actions, such as a prisoner swap, were not currently viable.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office stated that they are actively seeking clarification from Iranian authorities regarding the reported extension of the sentence.
