Hearing My Friend's Voice from Iran's Notorious Evin Prison Changed Everything
As Lindsay and Craig Foreman endure a 10-year sentence in Evin Prison, Iran's most infamous jail, their courage and compassion remain undimmed. We owe it to them not to look away, says Naomi Connell.
Two days before the US-Israeli strikes against Tehran, I spoke with my friend Lindsay Foreman. She is in the city's formidable Evin Prison, and it was an emotional conversation for us both. Her voice was steady, but her fear was unmistakable. She and her husband, Craig, have spent more than 14 months arbitrarily detained on trumped-up charges of espionage, victims of hostage diplomacy. They are weak from torture and malnutrition and uncertain about what each day may bring.
Ordinary People in Extraordinary Circumstances
Lindsay and Craig are not headlines but ordinary people. They are not spies or insurgents, but friends and parents. Craig is an incredible carpenter, and Lindsay is a gifted coach and psychologist. She has dedicated her life to understanding what helps people flourish even in adversity. Craig, her rock, shares her belief in the goodness of people. They are the sort of couple our friends gravitate towards: adventurous, curious about the world and deeply devoted to one another.
Lindsay could easily be someone you know. In our group, she is the one who remembers birthdays, who connects strangers because she is certain they will get along. Our friends describe her as bold, brave and generous. One recalls spontaneous road trips and laughter across continents; another says Lindsay gave her the courage to start a business. During lockdown, she created an online well-being community, so no one would feel alone. This is who she is.
A Journey of Positive Psychology Turned Tragic
"I was drawn to positive psychology at a time of my life when I had lost balance," Lindsay told me. "We can so readily see the negative in things, whereas this is about seeing what is right, magnifying that, seeing it in others and creating a ripple effect of positivity that is genuine and authentic — not just a smiley face."
Wanting to understand different perspectives from around the world, Lindsay had begun a simple project which involved sitting face-to-face with people and having conversations with them about their well-being. "I was curious to know what living a good life means to people everywhere," she explained. By the time they arrived in Iran, they had met and talked to hundreds of people, gathering insights.
When they were detained in January 2025, Lindsay and Craig had been travelling through Europe and Africa. They intended to continue through Asia and on to Australia, where Lindsay was to speak at a conference on positive psychology, after a short passage through Iran.
Lindsay and Craig entered the country on 30 December as tourists with visas, an approved itinerary and a guide. The Foreign Office had advised against travel to Iran, but thousands before them had entered and exited the country without incident at that time. Four days after their arrival, they were arrested and charged with espionage.
Unjust Blame and Unwavering Compassion
It troubles me deeply that some people have responded with, "They deserve it. They shouldn't have gone." We do not tell a victim of a mugging on a dark street that they should have stayed home.
"I knew there were risks," Lindsay told me. "But believing in people shouldn't be something we punish."
"We had read that with the right papers, visas and a guide, the Iranian people would welcome us," she said. "Which they did. We did not imagine that this trip of a lifetime could turn into being captured at gunpoint and held in solitary confinement."
Now, she and Craig remain in prison, waiting as the skies above flash with explosions and smoke darkens the sky.
Resilience in the Bleakest Conditions
Even now, in the bleakest circumstances, Lindsay's compassion persists. She has created a "Wall of Hope" for fellow inmates: messages of encouragement for newcomers facing fear and isolation. She still speaks about the goodness in people.
"Re-reading Viktor Frankl in prison has helped me focus on gratitude for small things. A blanket. A bowl of rice. People think it's bonkers, but it's what gets me through," she said. "It means stopping complaining about stupid things that don't matter in the grand scheme of life. Being grateful for freedom, love and connection. Being grateful and being kind to each other."
But let us be honest: it is unimaginably hard to remain positive in conditions designed to diminish you, and much of what Lindsay tells me is said quietly through tears.
A Call to Action and Hope
She and Craig have now been sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment. Ten years for nothing. Our family-led campaign, supported by thousands of people through our petition and donations, exists because silence risks allowing that injustice to fade into the background. Lindsay's impact was profound, and she is missed.
I am humbled by how my friend turns with courage towards forgiveness and gratitude, drawing strength from even the smallest positives. Today invites us all to stand with my friend, to spark meaningful conversations, and to ensure her voice, values and vision continue to resonate in the world.
When asked what was hardest for her now, her composure faltered. "Missing people," she said. "Knowing they're out there and not being able to hug them... that's the hardest thing. Thank you for not forgetting us."
Then she told me wistfully, "I just can't wait to come home."
I echo that thought. Lindsay and Craig are good people. They deserve freedom. We must not rest until they are safely home.
