The mother of a British woman charged with espionage while travelling in Iran has claimed the charges are “made up”.
The couple were detained initially on fraud but charged with espionage earlier this week.
Chief Justice Ebrahim Hamidi, who serves in the city of Kerman near to where the couple were arrested, said: “Their links to foreign intelligence services have been confirmed.
Craig and Lindsay Foreman were charged with espionage
Foreign Office via PA“Additional investigations are still ongoing.”
The couple were travelling around the world conducting a research project led by Lindsay who is a life coach and psychologist.
Their mission’s Facebook page describes it as: “Motorbiking around the world having F2F [Face to face] chats about what it means to live a good life, what intentional activities can have the greatest impact in our lives & communities, & gathering messages of hope for the world.”
The couple ignored safety advice from officials with Lindsay writing a justification on Instagram.
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On Lindsay's personal Instagram page, she said they are 'aware of the risks'Foreign OfficeShe wrote: “Despite the advice of friends, family and [Government advice] 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.”
A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are deeply concerned by reports that two British nationals have been charged with espionage in Iran.”
According to the Foreign Office, Iran is one of just 10 countries against which they advise all travel.
Undated family handout photo of Craig Foreman, who along with his wife Lindsay have been detained in IranPA
The couple’s espionage charges were announced yesterday by judicial spokesman Asghar Jahangir, who confirmed the couple had been under surveillance due to security concerns and “subsequently arrested as part of a coordinated intelligence operation”.
He said: “These individuals were co-operating with front organisations linked to the intelligence services of hostile and Western countries under the pretence of research and investigative activities.”
British Ambassador Hugo Shorter met with the couple last week.
At time of writing, the couple remain in the custody of authorities in Kerman.
