The son of a British couple who have been detained in Iran since January has told Sky News he has “grave concerns” about their wellbeing.
Lindsay and Craig Foreman were arrested in January during a round-the-world motorbike trip and were later charged with espionage – allegations the couple deny.
Speaking to Sky’s Samantha Washington on Saturday, the couple’s son Joe Bennett said the family was “anticipating to hear” any news after a court appearance, adding that “it might be seven to 10 days after today’s hearing” before they get any updates.
The family previously said they had “no clear information” about the court hearing on Saturday – and said UK officials were also “in the dark” about it.
Since they were arrested, Mr and Mrs Foreman have been detained in a facility in the Iranian city of Kerman, and have since been moved to separate prisons in the capital, Tehran.
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In August, the couple spoke to their family for the first time in seven months, who later said they were “seriously worried” about them after they were moved to one of Iran‘s “harshest prisons”.
Mr Bennett said his parents were “essentially passing through” and added that they “couldn’t have been more complimentary of the country and the people” in Iran.
“They were there for a very short amount of time,” he added. “Four days in total, it was supposed to be, and they would have continued on their journey.”
He said: “There’s concerns – I think mentally that they’re coping and surviving, and using whatever techniques possible to get through this time.
“But it’s more the body and healthwise that we’re concerned. There’s been reports that Craig is constantly ill with multiple rounds of stomach bugs and flu, dental problems.
“And a very concerning thing that we’ve read and been told is that my mum was on a drip last week, but we don’t know what that was for or why, so it causes grave concern.
“You know, the mental fortitude sounds like it’s there, but it’s how much the body can endure in the conditions that they’re in.”
Mr Bennett previously told Sky News the couple were crammed into cells with more than 50 other prisoners, while suffering constant back pain caused by metal bunk beds.
He echoed this on Friday, saying “they’re in inhuman conditions”, before adding that consular visits are being arranged for October.
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He also said Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has agreed to meet the family next month, adding that the Foreign Office has been “very responsive”.
However, Mr Bennett said “the communication is very fractured”, before adding that discussions around the United Nations reapplying sanctions on Iran “does cause concern naturally, but hopefully we can keep the issue separate”.
