Iran sentences British couple on world motorcycle tour to 10 years for spying

A British couple detained in Iran since January last year have been sentenced to 10 years in jail for espionage, their family announced on Thursday, prompting condemnation from the UK government.Lindsay and Craig Foreman, both in their fifties, were arrested while travelling through the country on an around-the-world motorcycle journey, according to relatives, and have consistently denied Tehran’s spying claims.Their family say the sentences follow a court appearance last October which lasted just three hours and in which they were not allowed to present any defence.“They have consistently denied the allegations. We have seen no evidence to support the charge of espionage,” their son Joe Bennett said in a statement revealing the jail terms.“We are deeply concerned about their welfare and about the lack of transparency in the judicial process.”Craig and Lindsay Foreman pause for a picture during their round-the-world motorcycle tour. Photo: Foreman family / AFPBritish Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper hit out at the sentences, calling them “completely appalling and totally unjustifiable”.