Lead

The family of Craig Foreman, a British citizen serving a 10-year prison sentence in Iran on espionage charges, says a judge has extended his sentence by two years for speaking to the media. The claim, reported by the Jerusalem Post, adds to growing concerns about the treatment of Foreman and his wife, Lindsay Foreman, who were arrested in 2025 while traveling through Iran by motorcycle.

Coverage Comparison

The Jerusalem Post, citing the US-based Iranian human rights news agency HRANA, reported on July 6 that the couple is maintaining a hunger strike over prison conditions. According to HRANA, they have lost significant weight—about 16 kg for Craig and more than 14 kg for Lindsay—during the strike. The report also said Lindsay Foreman had not received a medical check-up for about 10 days despite experiencing dizziness, body tremors, and severe weakness.

HRANA further reported that the couple had recently been allowed to speak by telephone with their lawyer but remained barred from contacting family or each other. Medicines, eyeglasses, books, and hygiene items sent by the British embassy had not been delivered, despite approval from prison medical staff and ward officials.

A second report from the Jerusalem Post, dated July 15, focused on the sentence extension. The family's spokesperson, Joe Bennett—Lindsay Foreman's son—said they had received reports that Craig Foreman was taken before a judge and told his sentence was extended because he had spoken to the media. Bennett said Foreman was told he was being taken to see his lawyer but was instead brought before a judge and informed of the additional sentence.

Key Claims

  • Craig and Lindsay Foreman are jailed in Iran on espionage charges and have been denied adequate medical care and contact with their families, as reported by the Jerusalem Post citing HRANA.
  • The couple has been maintaining a hunger strike over prison conditions and has lost weight during the strike, according to HRANA.
  • Lindsay Foreman had not received a medical check-up for about 10 days despite dizziness, body tremors, and severe weakness, HRANA reported.
  • The couple had recently been allowed to speak by telephone with their lawyer but remained barred from contacting family or each other, according to HRANA.
  • Medicines, eyeglasses, books, and hygiene items sent by the British embassy had not been delivered despite approval from prison medical staff and ward officials, HRANA said.
  • Craig Foreman's sentence was extended by two years for speaking to the media, according to his family.
  • Joe Bennett stated that Craig Foreman had been denied access to a lawyer and a translator and was given no opportunity to defend himself.
  • Britain's foreign ministry is following up with the Iranian authorities about the reported increased sentence, a ministry spokesperson said.
The couple, who have denied the accusations, say no evidence was presented against them and they were not given an opportunity to defend themselves. Their original sentences were described by Britain as "totally unjustifiable."