UK condemns 10-year sentence for British couple in Iran


LONDON, Feb 19 (Reuters) - ⁠British foreign minister Yvette Cooper ⁠on Thursday condemned as "totally unjustifiable" the 10-year ‌sentence given to two British nationals detained in Iran, saying the government would continue pressing for ​their release.

Craig and Lindsay ⁠Foreman had been ⁠charged with espionage after Iran accused them of ⁠gathering ‌information in several parts of the country.

"We will pursue this ⁠case relentlessly with the Iranian government ​until we ‌see Craig and Lindsay Foreman safely ⁠returned to ​the UK and reunited with their family," Cooper said in a statement.

Joe Bennett, Lindsay's ⁠son, said in a ​separate statement the couple had appeared at a three-hour trial on October 27 of last ⁠year in which they were not allowed to present a defence.

"We have seen no evidence to support the charge ​of espionage," he said, ⁠adding that the family was deeply concerned ​about the couple's welfare ‌and the lack of transparency ​in the judicial process.

(Reporting by Sam Tabahriti; Editing by Kate Holton)

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