Sussex couple held in Iran to appear in court | UK News

The family of a British couple detained in Iran have said they are “in the dark” about the pair’s upcoming court appearance.

Lindsay and Craig Foreman, from East Sussex, were on a motorcycle trip around the world when they were detained by Iranian authorities in January and later charged with espionage – something the family denies.

Their son, Joe Bennett, said the pair were enduring “horrific conditions and suffering repeated human rights violations” and called on the UK government to act.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has been approached for comment.

Mr Bennett, of Folkestone in Kent, said their family had been informed that the couple were due to appear in court in Iran on Saturday.

It comes about a month after the couple were “suddenly whisked” into court – something their relatives said they had had no prior knowledge of and still had not been given details of.

A statement from the couple’s family members said that a letter signed by 35 MPs and members of the all-parliamentary group for arbitrary detention and hostage affairs had been sent to Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.

Earlier this month, relatives also met with the UK Ambassador to Iran, Hugo Shorter, who confirmed the couple continued to endure extremely tough prison conditions.

Mr Bennet added: “This is about survival and dignity.

“Every day is painful and filled with fear and sadness – they do not have the luxury of waiting for bureaucratic wheels to slowly turn.

“They need real, tangible support for their court appearances and to ensure proper medical attention, regular family contact and the urgent securing of their release.”

An FCDO spokesperson previously said that it was “deeply concerned ” and “continues to raise this case directly with the Iranian authorities”.