British detainee in Iran moved after prison deaths

Relatives of Lindsay and Craig Foreman deny claims of espionage

A British detainee in Iran has been moved from one prison to another following the deaths of fellow inmates and hunger strikes.

Lindsay Foreman, from East Sussex, was transferred from Qarchak Prison to the notorious Evin Prison on Thursday, according to her family.

Lindsay and her husband, Craig Foreman, were arrested by Iranian authorities in January while travelling the world and later charged with espionage.

The family denies this, saying the charges are politically motivated.

Three women died at Qarchak in September, having been denied medical treatment, and 19 prisoners have since gone on hunger strike to protest against conditions inside the facility, the family said.

'Agonising limbo'

Ms Foreman's son, Joe Bennett, said he was "sick with worry" over reports of what was happening at the female-only facility.

Iran Human Rights has reported that the "most basic principles of human dignity" are disregarded at Qarchak.

Prisoners experience violence, abuse, overcrowding, unsanitary drinking water, a lack of basic facilities, inadequate healthcare and degrading treatment, the non-governmental organisation wrote.

Mr Bennett, from Kent, said transferring his mum to Evin Prison, where Craig is currently detained, does not "change the bigger picture".

Mr Bennett said the couple were "trapped" and "frightened"

"She is still an innocent British woman, wrongfully imprisoned in Iran, living day to day in fear and uncertainty," he said.

Ms Foreman's eldest son added that the family was in an "agonising limbo" as they awaited news following a court hearing in Tehran on 27 September.

"Every day that passes without news is another day of torment for them," he said.

"They are trapped, frightened, and cut off from the world, not knowing what their future holds.

"The psychological toll must be unimaginable," he said.

'Time for action'

The BBC previously heard that the couple were being used as "bargaining chips" between Iran's government and Western states.

Following reports Trump wants to improve diplomatic relations with Iran after signing the Gaza peace plan, Mr Bennett said he hoped a deal could be brokered that could secure their release.

"The US and UK have always been very strong allies," he said. "I'm hoping that if there's a deal on the table, he [Trump] at least knows that my mum and Craig are there, and are there [in Iran] wrongfully."

Mr Bennett urged the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) to act urgently to secure their release.

"We need a clear plan from the UK Government. They cannot allow this to drift any longer. The time for action is now."

The FCDO said it was providing the Foremans with consular assistance and remained in close contact with their family members.

"We continue to raise this case directly with the Iranian authorities," it added.

The FCDO advises against travel to Iran for British and British-Iranian nationals, who it says are at "significant risk" of detention.