The son of a British couple held in an Iranian jail has described the response of the British government as “criminal”, as he delivered a 70-thousand-strong petition to Downing Street.
Lindsay and Craig Foreman were detained on 3 January 2025 while travelling through Iran for four days on a round-the-world motorbike holiday.
They are accused of espionage, which they both deny.
Speaking at a rally in London to mark one year since the couple’s capture, Lindsay’s son Joe Bennett told Sky News that while the Foreign Office has been good at communicating with the family, the overall response from the government has been “passive” and that he wants a response from the prime minister.
“There’s almost this philosophy to let this judicial system play out, which is of course a complete circus, and the fact that they’re both being accused of espionage for the British state and the state that they’re being accused of spying for aren’t coming out in public defending them, I think is criminal, really.”
He said the last year has been “crazy”.
“It’s gone quick, but it’s been the most traumatic long time of our lives. Today is about trying to unite people.”
He said his mother is “malnourished” and has been putting on a “brave face”.
“She’s sleeping on a metal frame. You know, it’s horrible conditions. There are rats and vermin everywhere. She’s woken up with rats in her bed.
“Day by day has an effect because their body is deteriorating, right? That’s the reality of it.”
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Also attending the rally was Richard Ratcliffe, husband of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was held in Iran for more than five years before being released in 2022.
“It brings back tough memories of what we went through, how long it lasted – how you need to keep going. It’s nice to be here and reminded of how many people cared for us and care for Lindsay and Craig – and the importance of just keeping going and keeping alive the idea that one day it will be different.”
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On government efforts to secure Linsday and Craig’s release, Mr Ratcliffe said they are not doing enough.
“I think that was true in our case, that will be true in Joe’s mum’s case, you don’t know what they’re doing behind closed doors. But as years went on I got very sceptical.”
A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We are deeply concerned by reports that Craig and Lindsay Foreman have been charged with espionage in Iran.
“We continue to raise this case directly with the Iranian authorities.
“The FCDO are providing them with consular assistance and remain in close contact with their family members.”
