A BRITISH couple detained in Iran could be left to languish in a hellhole jail for years, sources fear.
Channel 4 stars Craig and Lindsay Foreman were arrested during a motorbike trip across the world.
RexLindsay and Craig Foreman have been charged with espionage in Iran[/caption]
facebook/PPK2K RTW Motorcycle MissionThey were on a round-the-world motorcycle trip[/caption]
X/Iran NuancesA picture was released showing Brit ambassador Hugo Shortner meeting with the couple, whose faces were blurred[/caption]
They ignored advice from family and the foreign office to go to Iran and were taken into custody on unspecified security charges in January
The couple, who previously appeared on Channel 4‘s A New Life in the Sun, have now been charged with espionage and continue to be held in prison.
Iran’s regime has accused them of “collecting information in several provinces of the country” while “under the guise of investigative and research work”.
But insiders believe Iran’s merciless leaders have made a “fabricated case” to use Craig and Lindsay as pawns in their sick game to get Western countries to give in to their demands.
United Against Nuclear Iran’s (UANI) policy director Jason Brodsky told The Sun while they are unlikely to face execution, they could be jailed for years and face torture.
He said: “Iran uses hostage diplomacy as a means to extract concessions from Europe and the United States.
“Hostages have languished for years behind bars in Iran.
“The Iranian regime has executed dual-nationals previously, or those with Iranian citizenship in addition to American or European nationality.
“Since the Foremans do not have dual-nationality, an execution is unlikely but the danger of harm remains.
“The Iranian regime employs both psychological and physical torture methods depending on the situation.”
Insiders and campaigners say it is likely the couple were arrested simply for being British.
It is feared they have been taken “hostage” to put pressure on the UK.
Hossein Abedini of the National Council of Resistance told The Sun: “Based on previous experiences, the clerical regime, involving the Ministry of Intelligence, creates a fabricated case and usually makes the conditions difficult in order to justify issuing fake verdicts.
“All of these actions are aimed at gaining leverage from the country to which the hostages belong.
“Therefore, any verdicts could arise.
“This is a repetitive process that has occurred many times, but due to the concessions made by the West, the regime assesses this as a profitable business.
“The experience of the Iranian Resistance over 45 years of opposition to this regime shows that the regime only understands the language of firmness.
“Therefore, although the regime has unfortunately suppressed and destroyed many movements in Iran, the Iranian Resistance has not only survived despite over a hundred thousand executions and severe repression, but has also grown.
“This is because the Iranian Resistance has chosen the path of standing firm against the regime”
RexThe pair previously featured on Channel 4’s A New Life in the Sun[/caption]
RexThe couple were due to leave Iran on January 4[/caption]
Craig and Lindsay, both in their 50s, are being held in the southeastern city of Kerman, according to state media.
Iran’s judiciary claims they were “cooperating with covert institutions linked to the intelligence services of hostile Western countries under the guise of investigative and research activities”.
Craig, a carpenter, and Lindsay, a life coach, were travelling through Iran on a round-the-world trip.
They arrived in the country from Armenia on December 30 and planned to leave on January 4 to head for Australia.
Once in Iran, they visited Tabriz, Tehran and Isfahan – but failed to check into their hotel in Kerman.
Their detention only came to light last week after Iranian authorities released an image of them meeting with British ambassador Hugo Shorter.
Foreign Office advice for Iran
THE Foriegn Office explicitly advises against all travel to Iran.
It warns that Brits, and those with British-Iranian dual nationality, are at “significant risk” of arrest, questioning or detention.
The website reads: “Having a British passport or connections to the UK can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to detain you.
“UK government support is extremely limited in Iran.
“Assume that no face-to-face consular assistance will be possible in an emergency and the UK government will not be able to help you if you get into difficulty in Iran.”
The Foreign Office also warns of ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
It adds: “The situation could escalate quickly and pose risks.
“We continue to advise against all travel to Iran.”
Foreign Office guidance warns against all travel to Iran – warning Brits they can simply be detained for their nationality.
But the couple ignored risks and concerns from family and friends.
In a post the same day the couple arrived in Iran, they shrugged off the extreme risk.
They wrote: “Despite the advice of friends, family, and the FCDO (which strongly advises against travel to Iran for British nationals), we’ve chosen to keep moving forward.
“Why? Because we believe that, no matter where you are in the world, most people are good, kind humans striving for a meaningful life. Yes, we’re aware of the risks.
“We also know the rewards of meeting incredible people, hearing their stories, and seeing the breathtaking landscapes of these regions could far outweigh the fear.”
Following their arrest, a Foreign Office spokesman said they were “united in our determination to secure their safe return” – saying their detention “caused significant concern”.
Demands are again being made to label the Iranian Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organisation.
UANI’s director of IRGC Research Kasra Aarabi told The Sun: “The IRGC has once again taken British nationals hostage in Iran.
“This is the result of years of appeasing the Ayatollah’s regime.
“Prime Minister Starmer must show leadership and immediately impose consequences on Tehran.
“This should start with proscribing the IRGC as a terrorist group.”
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