Two Britons jailed in Iran on espionage charges are maintaining a hunger strike over prison conditions, including denial of adequate medical care and family contact, according to the U.S.-based Iranian human rights news agency HRANA. Craig and Lindsay Foreman have lost significant weight and face ongoing restrictions.
The ongoing hunger strike and reported denial of medical care for the jailed British couple highlights the critical conditions faced by foreign nationals detained in Iran and underscores the diplomatic tensions between the UK and Iran over these cases.
Two Britons, Craig and Lindsay Foreman, who are jailed in Iran on espionage charges, are continuing their hunger strike over alleged poor prison conditions and lack of medical care, according to a report by the U.S.-based Iranian human rights news agency HRANA. The couple has reportedly lost a significant amount of weight during the strike, with Craig Foreman losing approximately 16 kg and Lindsay Foreman over 14 kg.
HRANA cited an unidentified source familiar with the situation, stating that Lindsay Foreman has not received a medical check-up for about 10 days despite experiencing dizziness, tremors, and severe weakness. While the couple was recently permitted brief telephone contact with their lawyer, they remain barred from communicating with their families or each other. Furthermore, essential items sent by the British embassy, including medicines and eyeglasses, have not been delivered despite approval from prison medical staff and ward officials.
The Foremans were arrested in January 2025 while traveling through Iran by motorcycle. They were subsequently sentenced to 10 years in prison each on espionage charges, a conviction that was upheld on appeal in June. The couple has denied the accusations, asserting that no evidence was presented against them and they were not afforded an opportunity to defend themselves.
British Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper previously condemned the sentence as "totally unjustifiable" in February and stated the government's continued efforts to secure their release. Human rights organizations have suggested that Iran often detains foreign and dual nationals on security-related charges to use them as leverage in disputes with other countries, a practice Tehran denies, citing legitimate security concerns.