Great Britain Iran accuses British couple of espionage
Iran's judiciary accuses a British couple of espionage.
18.02.2025, 15:24
SDA
"The individuals were monitored in cooperation with the security authorities and were finally arrested by the intelligence service of the Revolutionary Guards of Kerman province," said judiciary spokesman Asghar Jahangir, according to the Misan news agency.
Iran's judiciary accuses the tourists of collaborating with organizations that are said to have links to Western intelligence services. No evidence of this was provided. Accusations of espionage in Iran carry the threat of years in prison - in extreme cases even a death sentence.
Couple was traveling the world on a motorcycle
The detainees are said to be in their early 50s. According to the BBC, they were traveling around the world to Australia on motorcycles. The couple's family announced via the British Foreign Office: "This unexpected turn of events has caused great concern for our entire family." The family is working with the British government to ensure the couple's safety and well-being.
According to reports, the couple had entered Iran from Armenia at the end of December and had planned to be in Pakistan in early January. Their journey can be followed on social media.
Espionage allegations against Europeans in other cases too
Several Europeans are in custody in Iran, including Germans. Critics accuse Tehran of holding foreigners as political hostages. The Iranian government rejects this and usually justifies arrests with accusations of espionage. In May 2020, for example, security forces arrested a Frenchman for allegedly taking photos with a drone - he was only released after three years. It is unclear how many Europeans are currently imprisoned in Iran.
