Joe's fears for mother's wellbeing as Iran regime keeps jailed couple apart

FOREIGN OFFICE 'DEEPLY CONCERNED'

- By Jon King

THE FAMILY of a British couple detained on spying charges in Iran for the past eight months fear they are struggling to cope with being held in different prisons in “inhumane” conditions.

Lindsay and Craig Foreman, both 52, were on an around-the-world motorbike trip when they were arrested four days after arriving in Iran in January.

Lindsay’s eldest son, Joe Bennett, had an emotional phone call with his mother three weeks ago, the first time he had heard her voice since the nightmare started.

He is alarmed that her husband is being held in the notorious Evin Prison in Tehran, while she is in Qarchak women’s jail, a former cattle farm outside of the capital.

Joe, 31, said: “I hope they can stay strong for each other.”

He is particularly worried that his stepfather does not have any money to supplement the basic diet of gruel and water given to inmates in Iran’s tough jails.

Speaking to his mother was a relief after two promised phone calls did not happen but the family are hoping the first visit by a British embassy official since May, which is due to take place this week, will start the process of returning them home.

They are anxious that the conflict between Israel and Iran could resume and have called for the Foreign Secretary and the Prime Minister to do more to get the couple out of Tehran.