A British Couple on a Global Journey Accused of Espionage in Iran
Iran has a history of detaining foreign nationals and accusing them of espionage, often releasing them in exchange for Iranians captured abroad.
A British couple, who were on a motorcycle journey around the world, were arrested last month and charged with espionage in Iran.
An Iranian judiciary spokesman, Asghar Jahangir, informed the Mizan news agency in Tehran on Tuesday that the couple had engaged in espionage activities in various parts of the country while pretending to be tourists.
Lindsay Foreman, a motivational speaker, and her husband Craig Foreman, were traveling to Australia and entered Iran from Armenia on Dec. 30, as per their social media posts.
They were apprehended by Revolutionary Guards in Kerman, a city 300 miles southeast of Tehran, at the end of last month.
Jahangir mentioned that the Foremans were taken into custody “during a series of coordinated intelligence operations and while gathering information in Kerman city.”
The couple, who are believed to be in their 50s, are accused of having connections with intelligence agencies of “hostile countries.”
A British Foreign Office spokesperson expressed deep concern over the espionage charges laid against two British nationals in Iran and stated ongoing efforts to address the situation with Iranian authorities.
“Consular assistance is being provided to them, and we are in close contact with their family members,” he added.
The guidance warns that travel insurance might become void in Iran and highlights that merely possessing a British passport or connections to the UK could be a reason for Iranian authorities to detain individuals.
In a Facebook post on Dec. 30, Lindsay Foreman mentioned, “Despite the advice of friends, family, and the FCDO (which strongly advises against travel to Iran for British nationals), we’ve chosen to keep moving forward.”
‘Aware of the Risks’
“Yes, we’re aware of the risks,” she acknowledged. “But we also know the rewards of meeting incredible people, hearing their stories, and seeing the breathtaking landscapes of these regions could far outweigh the fear.”
After that the Facebook page activity stopped, although it is not clear when the couple were detained.
The Foremans, who described their journey as “PP (positive people) K2K (knee-to-knee) motorbiking around the world,” had been actively sharing their travels on YouTube.
An Iranian tourist guide appeared in the video, urging viewers to disregard media reports and come explore Iran.
Lindsay Foreman was conducting a research project on defining a “good life” and was scheduled to present her findings at a positive psychology conference in Brisbane in July.
Iran is known for detaining foreign nationals on espionage charges, often releasing them in exchange for Iranians held overseas or other diplomatic agreements.
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe (L) with her husband Richard Ratcliffe and daughter Gabriella as they leave 10 Downing Street, central London, after a meeting with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on May 13, 2022. Victoria Jones/PA
In March 2022, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori, dual British-Iranian citizens, were released after being detained for several years in Iran.
Britain settled a £40 million ($50.3 million) debt with Iran dating back to the rule of the Shah of Iran in the 1970s in exchange for their release.
The UK government acknowledged the debt for an order of 1,500 Chieftain tanks, which went unfilled after the shah’s regime was overthrown.
The Associated Press and PA Media contributed to this report.
