British couple sentenced to 10 years in Iran on espionage charges

British nationals Lindsay and Craig Foreman have been sentenced to 10 years in prison over allegations of espionage in Iran, Sky News writes.

The couple’s family says the sentence places the case “in line with the most severe politically motivated detentions of UK nationals in Iran.” They claim the trial lasted only three hours and that the defendants were not given a full opportunity to defend themselves.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has condemned their sentence as “completely appalling and totally unjustifiable.” She stated that the British government will continue to work determinedly with Iranian authorities to ensure the Foremans’ safe return home and reunion with their family.

The couple were arrested in January 2025 while travelling through the country on an around-the-world motorcycle journey and detained on charges of espionage.

The Foremans, from East Sussex, who are being held in Tehran’s Evin prison, deny the allegations.

Family members and British officials are calling for their case to be reviewed in accordance with international law and for them to receive a fair trial.