British Couple Detained in Iran Lacking Clean Water

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A British couple detained in Iran is reportedly facing harsh conditions, including a lack of access to clean drinking water, according to their son. Lindsay and Craig Foreman, originally from East Sussex, have been held since January on spying charges, which their family strongly denies.

Their son, Joe Bennett, from Kent, has spoken out about the difficult circumstances his parents are enduring while in custody. “Can you imagine being in a cell with over a dozen people… where the water from the tap isn’t safe to drink?” he said, highlighting the severe health risks posed by the prison conditions.

Mr Bennett explained that his parents have no money to purchase necessities such as bottled water and toilet paper, which are required in the prison environment. As a result, they have been relying on the kindness of fellow inmates for essential items.

He urged the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to intervene quickly and provide the necessary financial support to his parents. “This isn’t about comfort. It’s about survival. Water, food, soap – the bare minimum,” he said. “We still don’t know their real state of health and wellbeing. This is urgent. They need support now. Not next week. Not after more meetings – now.”

The couple are being held in separate locations in Tehran, the capital of Iran, where temperatures in August average around 35°C. Ms Foreman is detained in Qarchak Prison, a female-only facility known for its poor conditions. She and her husband had been on a once-in-a-lifetime motorcycle journey around the world when they were arrested.

The Foremans’ detention has drawn concern from human rights groups and families alike, as questions remain over the legality of the spying charges and the conditions in which detainees are kept. Iran has previously been criticised for the treatment of foreign prisoners, including restricted access to legal counsel and inadequate medical care.

Attempts to contact the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for comment on the case have so far been unsuccessful.

Joe Bennett emphasised the urgency of the situation and called for a swift response. “It’s hard to believe this is what they’re enduring. These are British citizens who deserve to be treated fairly and humanely,” he said.

He described the situation as “heartbreaking,” noting that the lack of basic hygiene and clean water significantly increases the risk of illness, especially in overcrowded cells. “Water from the tap isn’t safe to drink,” he said. “They shouldn’t have to rely on other prisoners to survive.”

The case highlights wider concerns about the treatment of detainees in Iran and the risks faced by foreign nationals held on security-related charges. Families and campaigners continue to push for diplomatic efforts to ensure their loved ones’ welfare and eventual release.