A BRITISH couple being held prisoner by the Iranian regime has been named.
A man named Craig and a woman named Lindsay Foreman, who are both around 50 years old, were traveling by motorcycle worldwide when they were detained by authorities in Iran in January.
The pair hails from East Sussex, but had moved to southern Spain in 2019.
The news about the couple, who work as a carpenter and a life coach, being arrested without specific charges was revealed last Thursday through reports by the Iranian state-owned media.
The regime released a blurred-out photo of the couple meeting the UK’s ambassador to Iran, and now their identities have been revealed.
The Foremans were making their way to Australia for the trip of a lifetime, and stopping off at various countries along the route.
They crossed into Iran from Armenia on December 30, with plans to reach Pakistan by January 4.
The pair stayed in hotel in the cities of Tabriz, Tehran and Isfahan, accompanied by a tour guide.
They then travelled on to Kerman, a provincial capital in the centre of the country, but never made it to their booked hotel.
The couple had been documenting their travels on social media, and described their joy at being in Iran.
Shortly before being arrested, Lindsay said she was having “an amazing time”.
Craig had gushed over the “lovely people” they had encountered in the equally “lovely” country.
Lindsay posted a picture of herself on January 3 meeting a religious leader in the town of Isfahan.
The caption on Instagram said: “Travel continues to teach me that humanity’s core is shared: kindness, humility, and respect for one another.”
On that day, Lindsay posted on Facebook expressing her observations during their journey, stating: “Even though we come from different backgrounds with diverse languages, cultures, and customs, we have witnessed a common thread of kindness, humor, generosity, and a mutual enjoyment of delicious food!”
The Foreign Office currently advises against all travel to Iran, warning of a “significant risk” of arrest, questioning or detention.
The ministry today released the following message on behalf of the family:
“We would like to take this opportunity to address the distressing situation concerning Craig and Lindsay Foreman who are currently being detained in Kerman, Iran.
“This unexpected turn of events has caused significant concern for our entire family, and we are deeply focused on ensuring their safety and well-being during this trying time.
“We are actively engaging with the British government and relevant authorities, working diligently to navigate the complexities of this matter. The family are united in our determination to secure their safe return.
“We truly appreciate the outpouring of support from friends, family, and the community, which has provided us with strength and encouragement as we face this ordeal.
“In light of the circumstances, we kindly ask for the utmost respect regarding our family’s privacy.
“The emotional burden of this situation weighs heavily on us, and we request that all media inquiries be directed to the FCDO as we manage this challenging chapter in our lives.”
