Lindsay Foreman, a British woman, was transferred to Evin Prison
Lindsay Foreman, a British woman who was arrested in Iran on charges of espionage, has been transferred to the same prison where her husband is held, following reports of potential conflicts in the women’s prison.
The Foreman family made this news public on Tuesday, October 14.
Lindsay and her husband Craig Foreman, both 52 years old, have been in detention since January. They were arrested in the city of Kerman while passing through on a motorcycle trip around the world.
In a statement sent to Agence France-Presse, the Foreman family said that Lindsay Foreman was transferred last week from Qarchak Women’s Prison to Evin Prison in Tehran, where her husband Craig is also imprisoned.
They heard about this transfer from Lindsay and Craig’s public lawyer in Tehran.
The statement mentioned that the family felt somewhat relieved after Lindsay Foreman’s departure from Qarchak, but considering that Evin is still one of the most frightening prisons in the world, there is no reason to turn this partial relief into indifference.
Joe Bennett, the son of Lindsay and Craig Foreman, said the family had become sick with worry due to reports about the treatment of prisoners in Qarchak.
The non-governmental organization Iran Human Rights, based in Norway, announced at the end of September that 19 women had gone on hunger strike in this prison due to serious issues related to illnesses and access to medical care.
Additionally, the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI), based in New York, reported that three women had died in this prison due to a lack of medical care.
Human rights groups have repeatedly criticized the very poor conditions of Qarchak Prison.
Bennett said that transferring my mother to Evin might mean slightly more access to facilities, maybe a phone call, maybe slightly better treatment, but it doesn’t change the fundamental problem: she is still an innocent British woman unjustly imprisoned in Iran.
The Foreman family, who were able to speak with them for the first time in early August, have become increasingly dissatisfied with how their case is being handled.
The Foremans are still awaiting a verdict; they appeared in court on September 27 on espionage charges.
Bennett said he and other family members are scheduled to meet with Yvette Cooper, the UK Foreign Secretary, on Thursday.
He added, ‘We need a clear plan from the British government; they cannot allow this matter to be delayed once again.’