A British couple detained in Iran have been “suddenly whisked” to a courtroom within the nation’s capital, Tehran, their household have stated.
Lindsay and Craig Foreman had been arrested in January throughout a round-the-world motorcycle journey and had been later charged with espionage – allegations the couple deny.
Their son, Joe Bennett, stated the household had been knowledgeable the pair, from East Sussex, appeared in court docket in Tehran on Wednesday with a “state-appointed lawyer they only just met”.
“We cannot see how [this] could be considered to be a fair trial,” he added.
Mr Bennett’s household stated they’re “deeply concerned” that that they had no prior information of the listening to being organised or carried out.
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British couple detained in Iran allowed to name residence
Earlier this month, the couple spoke to their household for the primary time in seven months. They later stated they had been “seriously worried” about them after they had been moved to one in every of Iran’s “harshest prisons”.
By way of their adviser, Radd Seiger, the household have now requested a gathering with Overseas Secretary David Lammy to make sure efforts are made to safe the couple’s return to the UK as urgently as potential.
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Pic: Household handout by way of FCDO
Mr Bennett stated the most recent court docket replace has raised the household’s considerations about their well-being.
“The ambassador was due to visit Craig yesterday but that did not happen,” he stated.
“We are not sure if the ambassador went and Craig was not there because he was whisked away to court.
“That is deeply worrying, as a result of it has been properly over three-and-a-half months since Craig was final seen.
“At that time, he had already lost weight.
“Now, with no funds and no entry to meals past the naked minimal, I can solely guess at how he should be.”
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Lindsay Foreman. Pic: Household handout by way of FCDO
The household stated they understood Lindsay Foreman had been seen by ambassador Hugo Shorter on Wednesday and “provided with a comfort pack of essential supplies”.
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Craig Foreman. Pic: Household handout by way of FCDO
Mr Bennett stated the dearth of transparency over the court docket listening to “only deepens our concern”.
“We cannot see how being suddenly whisked into a courtroom with no warning, with a state-appointed lawyer they only just met, could be considered to be a fair trial,” he stated.
“At least they saw each other, which must be some relief.
“Craig has now been in Evin Jail for 25 days with out entry to funds.
“In Iran’s prison system, detainees must rely on money credited to their accounts to buy food, clean water, and hygiene products.
“The Overseas, Commonwealth & Growth Workplace (FCDO) has thus far been unable to switch cash into Craig’s account, leaving him with out the necessities wanted to outlive.
“The lack of transparency only deepens our concern.”
The FCDO has warned all British and British-Iranian nationals to not journey to Iran because of a “significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention”.
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A spokesperson for the FCDO stated: “We are deeply concerned by reports that two British nationals have been charged with espionage in Iran. We continue to raise this case directly with the Iranian authorities.
“We’re offering them with consular help and stay in shut contact with their relations.”
