'Hope will help courageous Brit couple survive Iranian prison' says former hostage

Former Iranian hostage, Anoosheh Ashoori, 71, has sent an urgent message about the power of hope to a "courageous" British couple jailed in Iran.

Lindsay and Craig Foreman, a British couple, have spent over six months detained in Iran after they were arrested during a motorcycle trip across the world.

But it wasn't just the adventure of a lifetime for the couple. They were also undertaking a project as they went, hoping to discover what makes up a good life, forge connections, and learn about strong communities. They had been travelling through Iran, and posting on social media about the wonderful interactions they had with people they met - when suddenly their family lost contact with the couple.

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They were arrested in early January by Iranian authorities on charges of espionage - something their family categorically denies.

Anoosheh Ashoori, a British-Iranian businessman, was imprisoned in Tehran's infamous Evin Prison from 2017 until 2022. He was arrested when visiting his elderly mother in Iran, blindfolded and abducted into the back of a car, and convicted as being a spy for Israel, though he had never even been to the country.

He was released alongside Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe in 2022, and he told the Mirror he "deeply admired" Lindsay and Craig's project.

"Lindsay and Craig’s project, I deeply admire their vision. Their commitment to human connection and building hope — even in uncertain or dangerous places — shows a kind of courage that is increasingly rare today."

He added that he wasn't surprised that the couple had posted so positively about their time in Iran before their arrest, but he called visiting Iran under the current regime "a trap".

"Iran is home to a deeply hospitable people and an ancient, rich culture. But it is vital not to confuse the Iranian people with the Islamic regime.

"For the past 47 years, Iran has been under the control of a corrupt theocracy. It is, in many ways, a nation under internal occupation — not by a foreign force, but by an ideology.

"Lindsay and Craig’s posts about the kindness of Iranians are understandable. Our people are generous, curious, and welcoming, which is why many travellers feel compelled to visit, despite the risks. The desire to connect with such a rich culture, which is over 7000 years old, is strong. However, the current regime can quickly turn that goodwill into a trap."

Since his release from Evin, Anoosheh has worked with charities like Hostage International - for which he recently ran the London Marathon - and Amnesty International. With the latter, he produced an incredibly moving exhibition, entitled 'Surviving Evin' that featured a dried Morning Glory flower he managed to grow during his time in prison.

Anoosheh had been given a packet of seeds by a fellow inmate, Jamal, after moving into a new ward of Evin Prison and initially feeling "adrift". With time and careful attention, he managed to grow these beautiful pink flowers, that to him, and the other prisoners who visited him in what became known as 'Ashoori's Corner' became a powerful symbol of hope and positivity.

The former hostage explained through his profound artwork that even in the darkest place, living in conditions that he called "unbearable" to the Mirror, hope could still be found - and must be clung onto.

"Without hope, I would not have survived even a single day in Evin. Hope is what keeps the human spirit from collapsing under unbearable conditions. It’s the knowledge that you are not forgotten, that people outside are speaking up and doing all they can to save you. That alone can be life-saving," he explained.

"There was a point when I lost hope completely — I attempted suicide three times. Fortunately, I survived. So when I read about [Lindsay and Craig's] weight loss, I understand it deeply. Even in brief calls, their loved ones must use every second to remind them: 'You are not forgotten. We are fighting for you.' That message is crucial."

When asked what advice he would give to the Foreman's family - who have launched a campaign to secure the couple's release - Anoosheh told the Mirror, "My advice is clear: apply as much pressure as possible.

"History has shown us that the UK government only responds to pressure from families and from the public. Speak out, and speak loudly. Keep pushing until results are achieved. Silence helps no one."

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