Lindsay and Craig Foreman, from East Sussex, have been arrested in January and charged with spying – allegations they deny.
The couple have been initially detained in a jail within the Iranian metropolis of Kerman earlier than being despatched to separate jails in August, with Mrs Foreman moved to Qarchak ladies’s jail.
Final week, their household heard reviews of the deaths of three ladies detained there, who have been mentioned to have been denied medical remedy. They have been additionally instructed 19 different inmates have been reportedly on starvation strike over the circumstances inside.
He mentioned the household had been “sick with worry” over reviews of the remedy of prisoners in Qarchak.
“We are relieved she’s out of Qarchak, but Evin is not a safe haven – it’s still one of the most notorious prisons in the world. We cannot let slight relief turn into complacency,” he mentioned.
“Knowing that people have died in the same place where mum was held just days ago is unbearable.”
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The couple have been solely meant to be in Iran for 5 days. Pic: Household handout
Evin Jail was the place twin Iran-UK nationwide Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was locked up for greater than 5 years earlier than she was freed in 2022.
Mr Bennett mentioned the household has been in “agonising limbo” for the reason that couple’s court docket listening to on 27 September – regardless of being instructed they might have a verdict in seven to 10 days.
He mentioned that whereas communication was “fractured” there was a “line of communication” along with his mom and Mr Foreman through the British Embassy in Tehran.
“We are hoping now that my mum has joined Craig in Evin that phone calls should be a lot more easier to facilitate and meetings should be a lot more easier to organise,” he mentioned.
“We are hoping this is a positive step in the long journey that is to ultimately get them home urgently and safely.”
The household is urging the federal government to take “immediate and decisive action” to get the couple house and is about to plead their case to International Secretary Yvette Cooper on Thursday.
“This meeting has to be about more than updates – it has to be about outcomes,” mentioned Mr Bennett.
“We need a clear plan from the UK government. They cannot allow this to drift any longer. The time for action is now.”
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27 Sept: ‘They’re in inhumane circumstances,’ says son
The couple, each 52, have been arrested throughout a round-the-world journey that started in Spain and had shared photographs of themselves assembly locals in Iran and visiting sights.
They entered regardless of household urging them to keep away from Iran and official authorities warnings that Britons are at critical threat of detention there.
Nonetheless, campaigners insist they did their utmost to cut back the chance by getting legitimate visas, a licensed information and a pre-approved itinerary.
They have been solely meant to be there for 5 days earlier than persevering with on to Australia.
Mr Bennett mentioned beforehand the household have been severely nervous concerning the couple’s well being and the “inhumane conditions” they have been being stored in.
He mentioned his mum had been instructing yoga and English to cellmates however had additionally been on a drip for unknown causes, whereas Mr Foreman was mentioned to be “constantly ill with multiple rounds of stomach bugs and flu, dental problems”.
“It’s really tough. We never thought in a million years that we’d be in this position. Some days we feel like we’re making progress, and other days we feel like we’ve taken a couple of steps back. Mum and Craig have had to endure very tough mental and physical conditions,” he mentioned.
The household was allowed a name with the couple in August, who’ve had consular visits – however for now their destiny stays unsure.
