A British couple imprisoned in Iran on espionage charges have lost their appeal against their convictions, according to their family. Craig and Lindsay Foreman, who were arrested in January 2025 during a global motorbike journey, were sentenced to 10 years each in February 2026 after being convicted of espionage — charges both deny. Their family confirmed the appeal has been rejected and that the case has now passed to the Supreme Court, though they said they do not understand the process or timeline involved.
The couple are held in Tehran's Evin prison without legal representation and were not permitted to attend their own appeal hearing, according to Lindsay Foreman's son, Joe Bennett. Bennett said communication between the couple and their family has been severed by Iranian authorities following a media interview, after which the pair had their phone access withdrawn. As of the family's most recent update, Craig Foreman was on day 25 of a hunger strike and Lindsay Foreman was on day 16.
Bennett said he met officials at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on Monday but left without clarity on what pressure is being applied to Tehran [Source: The National]. The FCDO said it was disappointed by the appeal decision and would continue working to ensure Craig and Lindsay are returned safely to the UK. The department also said Britain's ambassador to Tehran has visited the couple in prison and facilitated calls with their family in the UK.
The UK Government had previously described the couple's 10-year sentences as 'completely appalling and totally unjustifiable'. The FCDO maintains an advisory warning all British and British-Iranian nationals not to travel to Iran, citing a significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention.
Sources: Sky News, BBC News, The National, Irvine Times