Family of British Pair Detained in Iran Voice Concern Over Ongoing Trial
The family of a UK couple detained in Iran on spying charges have stated they will continue pushing for their release for a long time if required, while expressing alarm over the current trial proceedings and the couple's well-being.
Lindsay and Craig Foreman, both 52 and who previously divided their time between Spain and England, were arrested in January in Kerman, southern Iran, while journeying on a round-the-world motorcycle trip.
The family have maintained their innocence and say they “will leave no stone unturned” as the government face demands from MPs to secure their release.
Court Hearing and Relatives' Worries
On Saturday the pair are understood to have had a trial session in Tehran, with a verdict and sentence anticipated within 10 days. The relatives had also requested for a British consular official to be present at the court case, which was “denied”. It is not known whether the Foremans were given an chance to present their case.
“The reason we want to put the pressure on is not to be troublesome but is to get our mother and father home,” said Lindsay’s son, Joe Bennett, who is urging the UK government for diplomatic representatives to be at legal sessions, regular communications and well-being visits.
“It’s been nine months. All aspects to us is going to feel slow, because it’s nine months excessively lengthy. They shouldn’t be out there for that long.”
Efforts for Release and Authorities Response
Bennett, 31, explained before going public with the campaign for their release the relatives saw minimal movement through the Foreign Office’s “quiet diplomacy”. Since then, the couple have had a one conversation with the office in August and have had their situation brought up in the government, which Bennett views as an indication that things, hopefully, are moving in the right direction.
“If it does go on for a long time, then we’ll continue to press for an extended period,” Bennett remarked on Thursday. “Hopefully it doesn’t and we can settle it a lot sooner than that, and that’s why as a family and as a support group we will strive to make sure we explore every possibility in our pursuit of bringing them back.”
Meeting with Foreign Secretary and Government Backing
The family is scheduled to meet the top diplomat in the next few weeks after Yvette Cooper assumed the posting in a cabinet shake-up last month. While “over the moon” to have the discussion, Bennett sees it as his responsibility to ensure authorities are answerable and that all possibilities to secure the couple’s freedom is considered.
The discussion with the foreign secretary comes after the chair of the cross-party committee on arbitrary detention and hostage affairs, Alicia Kearns, and 35 MPs and house of lords members wrote Cooper pressing the government to take action.
The committee, which has also been advocating for the UK to appoint a representative for captive cases, will conduct an upcoming hearing on the couple’s situation. Last month, the relatives met Hugo Shorter, the UK ambassador to Iran, exploring other options to get the pair home including possibly approaching the European parliament as the pair are living in Spain.
International Actions and Government Comments
“We know that there have been several diplomatic missions around the world that have assisted in specific cases like this,” noted Bennett. The relatives, and others of prominent British detainees held abroad have demanded the government to fulfill commitments to help secure their freedom and appoint a designated representative.
The Foreign Office said: “Officials are deeply concerned by reports that Craig and Lindsay Foreman have been charged with spying in Iran. We persist to raise this case personally with the Iranian authorities.
“The Foreign Office are offering them with diplomatic support and continue in close contact with their relatives.”
The Iran's diplomatic mission in London has been approached for a statement.