The family of a British couple jailed for 10 years in Iran on spying charges say more people “need to fight for them” as concerns for their welfare grow.
Joe Bennett, from Folkestone, says his family is “incredibly worried” about his mum Lindsay Foreman and her husband Craig.
The East Sussex pair were detained in Iran on charges of espionage in January 2025 while travelling through the country on a motorcycle.
In January, it was revealed the couple – who were accused of spying by the Iranian authorities – had been sentenced to 10 years inside Evin Prison in Tehran.
Their imprisonment was described by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper as “totally unjustifiable”.
However, Mr Bennett says after what was previously daily interactions, it has now been almost two weeks since the family spoke with them – something they believe could be in response to a media interview they gave.
He told KentOnline: “The most concerning thing is I haven’t spoken to my mum in over a week, since Bank Holiday Monday.
“We don’t know if they’re safe – there were threats they were going to start a hunger strike and we don’t know if that’s begun.
“We just don’t know what conditions they’re in, so it’s a concerning time and tough.
“They went on a hunger strike in November to get regular calls from family, which was promised by the judge in court.
“Since then, we’d had pretty much daily contact.
“Prior to November, it was very sporadic and for the first eight months I didn’t speak to either of them.
“The fact is we’re back at that point now – which is a very basic human right and lifeline for them and us – but once again they’ve been stripped of that for nothing more than telling the truth.”
The couple are being held in Tehran’s notorious Evin prison, where conditions are harsh.
UK Middle East minister Hamish Falconer recently told Parliament the couple were “innocent tourists”.
Mr Bennett says the family are going to put questions to Mr Falconer on Thursday (May 21).
He added: “Gratefully, we have an adjournment next Thursday which gives us 30 minutes to ask direct questions to them, which Hamish Falconer will have to answer.
“But we are continually trying to raise awareness and change the political wall.
“I look at countries like France, which managed to get people out during and after the war, and safely home, and the way Macron championed his citizens it inspires you.
“The situation for the government must be difficult and I get that, but one thing we’re asking for is a change in language, firstly.
“When the ambassador had a call with my mum going back three or four weeks ago, the language he was using when she described it to me was very defeatist.
“There’s nobody in the country for them to talk to and he essentially said ‘prepare to be there a long time’.
“The people who need hope the most are my mum and Craig. They’ve been in a really precarious situation and one none of us can imagine without going through it.
“But the people who are supposed to be fighting for them are using language which gives them no hope and like there is no end.”
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises against UK citizens travelling to Iran.
It says: “British and British-Iranian dual nationals are at significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention.”
It adds even “having a British passport or connections to the UK can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to detain you”.
However, Mr Bennett says the couple are innocent human beings who have not committed any crimes.
He said: “Whether people’s opinions are they should have been there or not, it’s important they understand the plight they’re going through.
“The analogy I use is if someone walks down an alleyway at night and gets assaulted, it’s not their fault for walking – it’s the fault of the perpetrator where the problem lies.
“Two innocent people do not deserve to go through what they are currently experiencing.”
