British Couple Held in Iranian Prison Confess to Naive Belief They Would Be 'OK'
A British woman, detained alongside her husband in an Iranian prison for over a year, has openly admitted that they were aware of the risks involved in travelling to the country but naively believed they would be safe. Lindsay and Craig Foreman, from East Sussex, were taken into custody in January during a global motorcycle tour and later charged with espionage, allegations they strongly deny.
'Naively and Ignorantly Thought We'd Be OK'
In a poignant phone interview with ITV News from Tehran's notorious Evin prison, Ms Foreman revealed their mindset before the detention. 'We kind of felt... There's a risk of detainment, but how bad can that be? How, you know, if we're innocent people, why would they detain us? So I naively and ignorantly thought that we'd be OK,' she confessed. This admission highlights the couple's misplaced trust in their preparations and the perceived welcome of an Iranian visa.
Documentation and Route Planning Amid Warnings
Despite Foreign Office warnings against travel to Iran, the Foremans had obtained the correct documentation. Ms Foreman explained, 'When you're planning a route around the world, it's quite complicated, and Iran is a big section of that, you know, gateway from Europe to Asia... I thought getting a visa was a sign of a welcome.' She added that weather conditions in alternative routes, such as storms in Armenia and snowstorms in Turkey, influenced their decision, stating, 'So had I known that, I probably would have gone a safer political route, whilst more dangerous geographically.'
The couple had arranged their journey with an Iranian travel agent, a tour guide, and escorts, believing these measures would ensure their safety. 'I think the people who told us, you know, 'this is possible, you can do it',' Ms Foreman remarked, underscoring their reliance on local advice.
'Psychological Torture' in Prison Meetings
Ms Foreman described the occasional meetings with her husband as 'psychological torture'. She detailed, 'For example, we were promised three meetings a month, which can range between, I think the (shortest) has been about 45 minutes... and the longest I think we've had is about, you know, just over two hours.' The unpredictability of these sessions adds to their distress, with cancellations at the last minute being particularly devastating. 'On more than one occasion, they cancel it at the last minute. And that is the most soul-destroying thing,' she said.
False Hopes of Release and Ongoing Ordeal
The emotional toll was further compounded by false promises of release. Ms Foreman recounted, '(The most) pitiful, depressing moment I think I've ever experienced... That actual belief that this is the end, only for it all to start, literally all start all over again.' This cycle of hope and disappointment has prolonged their suffering, with no clear resolution in sight.
Public Campaign and Government Response
Last month, Ms Foreman's son, Joe Bennett, joined former detainee Anoosheh Ashoori and Richard Ratcliffe—who campaigned vigorously for his wife Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe's release—at 10 Downing Street. They delivered a petition with 70,000 signatures, urging the government to take stronger action. Mr Bennett stated, 'which is a clear sign there is a strong belief that this is nothing but an arbitrary detention... We want public acknowledgement that it is completely barbaric they are being held on these charges of espionage, that they are not spies for the British state, and they are going to do everything they can to get them home.'
A Foreign Office spokesperson responded, 'We remain deeply concerned that Craig and Lindsay Foreman have been charged with espionage in Iran. We continue to raise this case directly with the Iranian authorities. We continue to provide Craig and Lindsay with consular assistance and remain in close contact with their family members.' This statement underscores the ongoing diplomatic efforts but highlights the challenges in securing their freedom.
