A British couple detained in Iran have been “all of the sudden whisked” to a courtroom within the nation’s capital, Tehran, their household have mentioned.
Lindsay and Craig Foreman had been arrested in January throughout a round-the-world bike journey and had been later charged with espionage – allegations the couple deny.
Their son, Joe Bennett, mentioned the household had been knowledgeable the pair, from East Sussex, appeared in court docket in Tehran on Wednesday with a “state-appointed lawyer they solely simply met”.
“We can’t see how [this] might be thought-about to be a good trial,” he added.
Mr Bennett’s household mentioned they’re “deeply involved” that they’d no prior data of the listening to being organised or carried out.
British couple detained in Iran allowed to name dwelling
Earlier this month, the couple spoke to their family for the first time in seven months. They later said they were “seriously worried” about them after they had been moved to one among Iran‘s “harshest prisons”.
By way of their adviser, Radd Seiger, the household have now requested a gathering with Overseas Secretary David Lammy to make sure efforts are made to safe the couple’s return to the UK as urgently as attainable.
Pic: Household handout through FCDO
Mr Bennett mentioned the most recent court docket replace has raised the household’s issues about their well-being.
“The ambassador was as a result of go to Craig yesterday however that didn’t occur,” he mentioned.
“We’re not positive if the ambassador went and Craig was not there as a result of he was whisked away to court docket.
“That is deeply worrying, as a result of it has been effectively over three-and-a-half months since Craig was final seen.
“At the moment, he had already misplaced weight.
“Now, with no funds and no entry to meals past the naked minimal, I can solely guess at how he should be.”
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Lindsay Foreman. Pic: Household handout through FCDO
The household mentioned they understood Lindsay Foreman had been seen by ambassador Hugo Shorter on Wednesday and “supplied with a consolation pack of important provides”.
Craig Foreman. Pic: Household handout through FCDO
Mr Bennett mentioned the shortage of transparency over the court docket listening to “solely deepens our concern”.
“We can’t see how being all of the sudden whisked right into a courtroom with no warning, with a state-appointed lawyer they solely simply met, might be thought-about to be a good trial,” he mentioned.
“No less than they noticed one another, which should be some reduction.
“Craig has now been in Evin Jail for 25 days with out entry to funds.
“In Iran’s jail system, detainees should depend on cash credited to their accounts to purchase meals, clear water, and hygiene merchandise.
“The Overseas, Commonwealth & Improvement Workplace (FCDO) has up to now been unable to switch cash into Craig’s account, leaving him with out the necessities wanted to outlive.
“The dearth of transparency solely deepens our concern.”
The FCDO has warned all British and British-Iranian nationals to not journey to Iran as a result of a “important danger of arrest, questioning or detention”.
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A spokesperson for the FCDO mentioned: “We’re deeply involved by studies that two British nationals have been charged with espionage in Iran. We proceed to boost this case straight with the Iranian authorities.
“We’re offering them with consular help and stay in shut contact with their members of the family.”
