British Couple Held in Iran Since January Have Been Accused of Espionage

A British couple who were arrested in Iran have been charged with espionage, according to the Iranian judicial news agency, cited by Sky News. The couple was identified by family on Monday as Craig and Lindsay Foreman.

Just last week, Iranian media reported that the couple were being held in the southeastern Iranian city of Kerman for security reasons. However, the arrest would have taken place in January.

In a family statement released by the British Foreign Office, the couple's family had spoken of a "distressing situation", referring to ongoing work with the British government, as well as with the authorities.

"The emotional side of the situation is heavy," the family said, saying the support of friends, family and the community has given them "strength and courage" to deal with the arrest of Craig and Lindsay Foreman.

The couple, who are in their 50s, were on a motorcycle trip around the world, planning to stay in Iran for five days. They arrived in the country on December 30 and were due to be in Pakistan on January 4.

Craig and Lindsay Foreman visited Tabriz, Tehran and Isfahan, accompanied by a tour guide, and then traveled to Kerman, where they never checked into a hotel.

Before 'disappearing', the couple showed that they were happy on their trip around the country - through social media.

The UK Foreign Office advises British citizens not to travel to Iran.

"British and British-Iranian dual nationals are at significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention," reads a notice from the ministry, which adds that "holding a British passport or links to the UK may be sufficient grounds for Iranian authorities" to detain them.