British nationals Craig and Lindsay Foreman have been formally charged with espionage in Iran, the country’s judiciary news agency has reported.
The couple, both 52, were arrested in January, but their detention on unspecified security charges only came to light last week.
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Judiciary spokesman Asghar Jahangir stated that the pair had “entered Iran under the guise of tourists” and were accused of “gathering information in multiple provinces.”
Originally from East Sussex, the Foremans moved to Andalucía, Spain, in 2019 and later appeared on Channel 4’s A New Life in the Sun in 2022, showcasing their life as expats.
They were on a global motorbike journey when they entered Iran from Armenia on December 30, planning a short stay before continuing to Pakistan and eventually Australia.
Before their arrest, the couple had shared positive experiences of their time in Iran on social media. Lindsay, a life coach with a doctorate in psychology, described the trip as “amazing,” while Craig, a carpenter, praised the country and its people.
Announcing the charges, Mr. Jahangir claimed the Foremans had been under surveillance and were detained in a “coordinated intelligence operation.”
Iranian officials further alleged that they were collaborating with foreign intelligence-linked organisations under the pretence of research.
The UK Foreign Office strongly advises against travel to Iran, warning that British citizens and dual nationals face a “significant risk” of arrest or detention.
Iran has previously detained several individuals with ties to the UK, often on espionage or national security charges, which human rights groups believe are used as political leverage.
Richard Ratcliffe, whose wife, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, was detained in Iran for six years, criticised UK travel guidance, stating it should more explicitly warn of the risks of hostage-taking in the country.
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