Iran Convicts British Couple of Espionage, Sentences Them to 10 Years

British officials have indicated they are open to a prisoner exchange that would free a couple held in Iran in return for the release of a British man serving a long sentence for stalking. Craig and Lindsay Foreman received 10-year sentences on espionage charges they deny after traveling to Iran 17 months ago.

They say Iranian officials have signaled that Richard Jan, who served 23 years including remand time after a 2004 conviction, is the key to their release.

Background on the Cases A joint investigation by The Independent and Sky News found that high-ranking Iranian officials have pressed for 15 years for Jan to receive medical care in prison and be returned to Iran. The Foremans say the British government has not acted on those signals.

Jan was jailed for a minimum of seven years after a campaign of abuse against council workers and mental health staff who tried to section him. Government pledges to deport foreign offenders have not resulted in his removal.

News, the justice secretary said the government’s mind is not closed to an exchange. “Those arrangements can be made,” he said, while declining to discuss specifics because it would undermine ongoing talks. The same official noted he had raised the Foreman case when serving as foreign secretary.

He added that he was unsure the specific proposal was credible. The Independent reported that an Iranian official holding the Foremans raised Jan’s case six months ago. Jan’s situation also featured in 2021 talks that led to the release of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe after Britain settled a £400 million arms debt.

>"Those arrangements can be made. " — Justice secretary, Sky News interview The Foremans’ son and the husband of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe have also commented on the case.