A British couple held in Iran since January on espionage charges are due to appear in court on Saturday, their family said, expressing alarm at what they described as horrific conditions and repeated rights abuses.
Lindsay and Craig Foreman, from East Sussex, were arrested during a motorcycle world tour and accused of spying -- allegations they deny. Their son, Joe Bennett, said the pair were enduring “survival conditions” and urged the UK government to act.
The BBC reported that the couple’s family said they were “in the dark” about the upcoming court appearance, with their son confirming they had only been told the pair were due in court on Saturday.
“The systematic harassment and violations must stop. They need real, tangible support for their court appearances and to ensure proper medical attention, regular family contact and the urgent securing of their release,” Bennett said in a statement.
Rights groups and a source familiar with the case have alleged the couple were held in solitary confinement, beaten and threatened with execution by Iranian intelligence agents seeking forced confessions.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said it was “deeply concerned” and continued to raise the case with Iranian authorities.
Britain has repeatedly rejected Tehran’s charges and pressed for the couple’s release. Western governments and rights organizations say Iran has a history of detaining foreign nationals as leverage in disputes, an accusation Tehran denies.
