Craig and Lindsay Foreman, a British couple from East Sussex, are currently imprisoned in Iran’s notorious Evin Prison in Tehran after being sentenced to 10 years each on espionage charges they strongly deny. As of March 2026, the couple describe their situation as life-threatening following military strikes near the prison, and are urging the UK government to secure their release.

Who Are Craig and Lindsay Foreman?

Craig Foreman is a carpenter and Lindsay Foreman is a life coach who holds a doctorate in psychology. The couple, both in their early fifties and originally from East Sussex, relocated to Spain following Brexit. In 2024 they embarked on an ambitious round-the-world motorcycle journey, with Lindsay due to present at a conference on positive psychology in Brisbane, Australia, in July 2025. Their trip took them through multiple countries before they reached Iran in late December 2024.

How Were They Arrested in Iran?

Craig and Lindsay Foreman entered Iran from Armenia on 30 December 2024, planning to cross the country and reach Pakistan by 4 January 2025. Despite official UK Foreign Office advice against all travel to Iran, the couple proceeded with their journey. They were detained by Iranian authorities shortly after crossing the border. Their family back in the UK were not immediately informed, and it took some time before the full picture of their detention became public.

After their initial detention, the couple were held in custody in Kerman, central Iran. In August 2025, Craig Foreman was transferred to Evin Prison in Tehran — widely regarded as Iran’s harshest detention facility — while Lindsay Foreman was held separately. Their son gave a number of media interviews expressing deep concern for his parents’ welfare, describing crowded cells, metal bunks with no mattresses, extreme heat, and no adequate medical care.

Charges and Trial

The Iranian authorities charged Craig and Lindsay Foreman with espionage. Both have consistently and strongly denied the charges. The trial took place before the Tehran Revolutionary Court, which handles national security cases in Iran. Such courts are not open to the public, independent observers, or foreign consular officials. The proceedings were conducted entirely in Farsi without independent translation, and the couple did not have access to legal representation of their choice.

The espionage charges appear to be connected to the couple’s motorcycle journey and their activities documenting their travels on social media. Human rights organisations and the UK government have expressed serious concern about the fairness of the proceedings and the lack of due process.

What Sentence Did They Receive?

On 19 February 2026, the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced both Craig and Lindsay Foreman to 10 years in prison each. The sentence was communicated to their family and quickly drew widespread condemnation from UK politicians, human rights campaigners, and the media. Craig Foreman described himself and his wife as “hostages” in interviews conducted from inside prison, calling on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to take more direct action to secure their freedom.

Their case is one of a number of instances in which British nationals have been detained in Iran on what critics describe as politically motivated charges. The pattern has led to comparisons with the detention of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who spent years in Evin Prison before her release was secured through diplomatic negotiations.

What Is Evin Prison?

Evin Prison, located in the Evin neighbourhood of northern Tehran, is Iran’s most politically significant detention facility. It is used primarily to hold political prisoners, journalists, academics, foreign nationals, and those accused of national security offences. The prison has a long and well-documented history of human rights abuses, including reports of torture, solitary confinement, denial of medical care, and forced confessions. International human rights organisations including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have repeatedly documented these conditions.

Foreign nationals held at Evin have often been used as bargaining chips in Iran’s diplomatic disputes with Western governments. The prison gained particular international attention following the widespread protests of 2019 and 2022, when large numbers of Iranians were detained there. Conditions inside are reported to be severely overcrowded, with inmates confined in cells far beyond their designed capacity.

Current Situation: March 2026

In late February 2026, Craig and Lindsay Foreman spoke publicly for the first time since the outbreak of wider hostilities involving Iran, warning that their situation had become life-threatening. Craig Foreman described nearby explosions shattering prison windows and forcing detainees to take cover. He said: “We are now in a prison in a war zone. We have gone from a challenging situation to a life-threatening situation.”

Their representative confirmed that the couple had no access to medical care, that food supplies were becoming increasingly scarce, and that recent military strikes in the area had created an immediate physical danger. The couple had previously gone on hunger strike in late 2025 in protest at the lack of progress in their case, and vowed to continue their protest until released.

As of 24 March 2026, the Foremans remain in Evin Prison. Their family and supporters are urging the UK government to treat their case as a diplomatic emergency and to pursue all available channels — including sanctions, trade talks, and direct negotiation — to secure their release.

UK Government Response

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper described the 10-year sentence as “completely appalling and totally unjustifiable” and pledged that the Foreign Office would “pursue this case relentlessly with the Iranian government” until the couple were safely returned to the UK. The government has raised the case with Iranian officials through diplomatic channels and has been in regular contact with the Foreman family.

However, the family has publicly expressed frustration with the pace and effectiveness of the government’s response. Craig Foreman urged Starmer to “step out of the shadows” and to take more decisive action, arguing that quiet diplomacy alone was not enough given the life-threatening conditions now facing them. MPs from multiple parties have raised the case in Parliament, and there have been calls for Iran’s ambassador to be summoned to the Foreign Office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are Craig and Lindsay Foreman in prison?

Craig and Lindsay Foreman are imprisoned in Iran after being convicted of espionage by the Tehran Revolutionary Court. Both deny the charges. They were detained in January 2025 while travelling through Iran on a round-the-world motorcycle journey and were sentenced to 10 years each in February 2026.

Which prison are Craig and Lindsay Foreman in?

Craig Foreman is held in Evin Prison in Tehran, Iran. Lindsay Foreman is held separately. Evin Prison is Iran’s most notorious detention facility and is known for its harsh conditions and history of human rights abuses against political prisoners and foreign nationals.

Have Craig and Lindsay Foreman been released?

No. As of March 2026, Craig and Lindsay Foreman remain imprisoned in Iran. They have not been released and their 10-year sentences are still in force. The UK government is pursuing diplomatic efforts to secure their release, but no agreement has yet been reached.

What is the UK government doing for Craig and Lindsay Foreman?

The UK Foreign Secretary has publicly condemned the sentence and pledged to pursue the case through diplomatic channels. The government is in contact with Iranian officials and the Foreman family. However, the family has expressed frustration at the pace of progress and called for more direct action, including high-level intervention by the Prime Minister.

Is it safe to travel to Iran?

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advises against all travel to Iran. This advice was in place before Craig and Lindsay Foreman entered the country and remains in force. Travellers entering Iran do so without access to full UK consular support, as the UK does not have full diplomatic relations with Iran. For more information on what happens when a UK national is detained abroad, see our guide on UK prison and detention information.