British man jailed with wife in Iran given additional sentence, family says

A British man jailed in Iran along with his wife has been handed an additional two-year prison sentence, according to the couple's family. 

Craig and Lindsay Foreman have been detained in Tehran since January 2025 after being arrested while travelling through the country during an around-the-world trip by motorcycle.

They were sentenced to 10 years in February this year after being convicted of espionage, which they both deny.

Last month, the family said the couple had been left with no other options except for "starving themselves in protest" after they lost an appeal against their convictions.

According to the family, Mr Foreman has refused food in Tehran's notorious Evin Prison since 9 May, while Ms Foreman joined her husband on 18 May. Both have lost a significant amount of weight, while all communication has been cut off by Iranian authorities, the family said.

In a statement, Ms Foreman's son, Joe Bennett, said the family had received "extremely concerning reports" that Mr Foreman's sentence had been extended.

Mr Bennett added: "We understand he [Mr Foreman] was told he was being taken to see his lawyer, but was instead brought before a judge and informed of the additional sentence.

"Despite requests, he was allowed no lawyer, no translator and no opportunity to defend himself. He was told the two years had been added because he had spoken to the press.

"We didn't think we could be any more shocked at their appalling treatment, but in this case we are absolutely flabbergasted."

A 'violation of international law'

The family's legal team has said that the two-year sentence will be added to the formal complaint submitted to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention on the Foremans' behalf.

Haydee Dijkstal, a member of the Foremans' legal team, said the couple's situation qualifies as "arbitrary detention under three of the UN Working Group's legal criteria" and insisted that their detention "lacks a legal basis, that their fundamental right to a fair trial has been gravely violated, and that their detention is a violation of international law".

The family pleaded with the Iranian authorities for the couple to be "shown mercy and allowed to come home", and urged the British Ambassador to Tehran, Hugo Shorter, to intervene.

They also previously called on the UK government to facilitate a prisoner swap with Iranian convicted stalker Richard Jan - dubbed the UK's "worst stalker".

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However, in an interview with Sky News last month, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy said that while "arrangements can be made of that kind", the "specifics on this would not be right".

Mr Lammy added that he could not go into detail on the Foremans' case because it would "undermine the discussions that we're having with the Iranians".

(c) Sky News 2026: British man jailed with wife in Iran given additional sentence, family says