British couple jailed in Iran issue plea for UK government to deport Iranian stalker
Craig and Lindsay Foreman were on hunger strike in Iran (PA)
British couple Craig and Lindsay Foreman, jailed for 10 years in Iran on espionage charges, are urging the UK government to deport an Iranian stalker, Richard Jan, believing it is key to their release.
Richard Jan, a former British-Iranian dual national, has been held in a UK maximum-security prison for 23 years despite being eligible for deportation since 2010, with his health in decline.
Iranian officials have reportedly linked Jan’s deportation to the Foremans’ freedom, and his case was previously involved in negotiations for Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s release.
The UK Ministry of Justice and Parole Board have consistently blocked Jan’s deportation, citing concerns over monitoring him in Iran, despite detailed management plans from Iranian authorities.
The Foremans’ family and Richard Ratcliffe suggest a direct connection between Jan’s ongoing detention and the couple’s arrest, criticising the Foreign Office for dismissing this potential solution.
