British Couple’s Son Hears Mother’s Voice After Seven Months Held in Iran

First contact since January arrest brings emotional relief, but calls for release intensify

The son of a British woman imprisoned in Iran for espionage experienced an overwhelming surge of emotion upon speaking to his mother for the first time in 213 days. The reunion, albeit brief and monitored, has fueled the family’s plea for government intervention.

A Glimmer of Hope Amidst Ordeal

Lindsay and Craig Foreman, both 52, were detained on January 3rd in Kerman, southern Iran, during a motorcycle journey from Armenia to Pakistan. Their family endured seven months without direct communication until Tuesday, when they received an eight-minute phone call. During this call, they learned the couple had been transferred to separate prisons in and around Tehran.

Lindsay‘s son, Joe Bennett, 31, described the experience of hearing his mother’s voice: To hear your mum’s voice after so long, your rock, your guide, someone you’ve missed more than you can even express, it’s like five birthdays and 10 Christmases at once.

Bennett added, I’ll be replaying that call in my head over and over again. It reminded me of what really matters: love, connection, and knowing they’re still with us. The call, filled with tears and laughter, offered a momentary reprieve from the prolonged uncertainty.

Prison Transfers and Conditions

The family confirmed on Monday that Lindsay had been moved to Qarchak women’s prison, south of Tehran. Human rights organizations have frequently raised concerns about the prison’s reported dire conditions. Her son stated that his mother sounded in good spirits, describing her surroundings as “OK and hot” and mentioning she had made friends.

Lindsay reportedly asked for literature beyond children’s books. Bennett shared a lighthearted moment, joking when his mother mentioned her prison transfer occurred by plane, it was like something out of a movie. He expressed confidence in her mental fortitude, noting, I know that potentially the call is monitored but I heard in her voice that she is doing mentally OK. Both her and Craig, they seemed both mentally strong.

Meanwhile, Craig has been transferred to Tehran’s central prison, also known as Fashafouyeh, located approximately 30 kilometers south of the capital, a facility with similar notoriety.

Calls for Public Declaration

The confirmation of their locations and the initial phone call occurred a month after the family’s public appeal for the British government to escalate their case during negotiations with Iran. The couple faces espionage charges, which their family vehemently denies, calling them baseless. Bennett stated, They are not spies, the British government knows they are not spies. It must say so publicly, unequivocally and immediately.

The Foreign Office has been contacted for comment. In the last year, the number of dual nationals detained in Iran has risen, with organizations like the Clooney Foundation for Justice reporting at least 17 such cases as of 2023 (BBC News, 2023).