Family of Detained British Couple in Iran Expresses Concern for Their Health

The family of two British citizens, who according to Iranian state media have been detained on "security charges," says they are actively in contact with the relevant British authorities to ensure their "health and safe return" to their country. Iranian media reported on February 13 that Islamic Republic officials had arrested the two British citizens accused of security crimes. According to a statement from the family of the two British citizens published on the UK Foreign Office website on Saturday, February 18, the names of the detained couple are "Craig Foreman" and "Lindsay Foreman," but no reports have been released regarding the timing of their arrest or the charges against them. British media say the couple, who are tourists, entered Iran from Armenia on December 31 and intended to travel to Pakistan five days later, ultimately aiming to reach Australia. The Islamic Republic has detained two British citizens on "security" charges. The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported on Wednesday evening without mentioning how the two British citizens were arrested that they are being held in a prison in Kerman province, and Hugo Shorter, the British ambassador to Iran, has met with these "two security accused British citizens" at the public and revolutionary prosecutor's office in Kerman province. IRNA also published images of this meeting, in which the faces of the man and woman, who are likely the detained British citizens, have been pixelated and rendered unrecognizable. The family of the British couple stated in their announcement that the "unexpected" turn of events has caused deep concern for the entire family, and we are focused on ensuring their safety and health during this difficult time. The statement adds that they are in active contact with the British government and relevant authorities and are working to secure their safe return. Reports from British media indicate that the couple, both in their early 50s, had traveled to Kerman after staying in the cities of Tabriz, Tehran, and Isfahan with a tour guide but never checked into their hotel in Kerman. Before their arrest, the couple had expressed their happiness about being in Iran in a series of social media posts and talked about the "lovely people of Iran." Lindsay Foreman, a psychologist with a PhD, and her husband Craig, a carpenter, had posted a photo on her Instagram page on January 3 (January 15), the last day they were supposed to stay in Iran, showing a meeting with a cleric in Isfahan, writing: "Travel teaches me that the core of humanity is shared: kindness, humility, and respect for one another." Several other citizens from European countries are currently imprisoned in Iran. In recent years, the Islamic Republic has repeatedly exchanged these European prisoners with its desired prisoners held in Western countries. One of the latest cases suspected of prisoner exchange dates back to last month when the Islamic Republic authorities released Cecilia Sala, an Italian journalist, and four days later, Mohammad Abedini, accused of violating U.S. arms sanctions, was released in Italy and returned to Iran. Western countries and human rights organizations accuse the Islamic Republic of "hostage-taking" of dual nationals and foreign citizens to gain political and economic concessions.