Craig and Lindsay Foreman, a British couple in their fifties, were on an adventurous round-the-world motorcycle journey when their trip took a terrifying turn. The couple, who had been traveling across different countries, was arrested in Kerman, a city in central Iran, last month.
The Foremans had been documenting their journey on social media, sharing their experiences and research. Lindsay, a life coach with a doctorate in psychology, and Craig, a carpenter, had left Britain in 2019 to settle in Spain before embarking on this journey. Their mission was to ask people from different cultures what makes a “good life.”
They were featured on the Channel 4 show A New Life in the Sun, which followed their move from East Sussex to Andalusia, Spain. The couple had been excited about their journey and regularly updated their followers on Facebook and Instagram.
Why Were Foremans Arrested?
Iranian authorities claim that Craig and Lindsay Foreman were involved in espionage. According to the Iranian judiciary’s spokesperson, Asghar Jahangir, the couple had been “collecting information” while traveling through several provinces in the country. Officials allege that they entered Iran “posing as tourists” and were gathering intelligence in Kerman before their arrest.
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The couple had entered Iran from Armenia on December 30 and were supposed to exit the country by January 4, heading towards Pakistan. They had visited Tabriz, Tehran, and Isfahan under the supervision of a tour guide before arriving in Kerman. However, they never checked into their hotel there.
Jahangir stated that they were arrested in a “coordinated intelligence operation” by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iranian state media reported that the Foremans were being held on security-related charges, although no concrete evidence has been shared publicly.
Before their arrest, the couple had expressed their excitement about traveling in Iran, despite warnings from friends, family, and the UK Foreign Office. The British government strongly advises against all travel to Iran due to security risks, but the Foremans proceeded anyway. They even posted on Facebook, reassuring their followers that they were having a great time in Iran. On Instagram, Lindsay admitted that traveling to Iran was “slightly scary” but felt the experience was worth the risk.
UK Government and Family’s Response
News of their detention surfaced when Iranian state media published a blurred photo of them meeting the British ambassador at the public prosecutor’s office. The couple’s family issued a statement expressing their deep concern and calling for their immediate release. They said, “This unexpected turn of events has caused significant concern for our entire family.”
Alicia Kearns, a British MP and chair of the parliamentary group on arbitrary detention, called on the UK government to act urgently. She stated, “The government must act with urgency to put into place a plan for their immediate release and return home, before any farcical trial proceedings are allowed to begin.”
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The UK Foreign Office has confirmed that they are in direct contact with Iranian authorities and providing consular assistance. A spokeswoman said, “We are deeply concerned by reports that two British nationals have been charged with espionage in Iran. We continue to raise this case directly with the Iranian authorities.”
The couple’s arrest is part of a troubling pattern in Iran, where several foreign nationals have been detained on security charges in recent years. In 2022, British-Iranian citizens Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori were released after years in Iranian custody, following the UK’s agreement to settle a £400 million debt dating back to the 1970s.
Back in East Sussex, where the Foremans used to live, their former neighbors expressed shock. One neighbor said, “They always seemed happy. It’s worrying what’s happened.” Another recalled Lindsay as a joyful and positive person.
The couple’s arrest has raised serious concerns, and their future remains uncertain as the UK government continues its efforts to secure their release.
