A British couple are facing execution in Iran after their final appeal against a death sentence was rejected. The couple, who have not been named for legal reasons, were convicted of espionage and sentenced to death in a closed-door trial that human rights groups have condemned as a sham.
The news comes as a devastating blow to families who have been campaigning for their release. The couple were arrested in 2022 while on holiday in Iran and have been held in Evin Prison, a notorious facility known for its harsh conditions and political detainees.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed “deep shock and dismay” at the ruling. He said the government would use every diplomatic channel to secure their release. “This is a barbaric sentence. We stand with the families and will not rest until these British citizens are home,” he said.
The couple’s lawyer said the trial was based on coerced confessions and flimsy evidence. “There was no fair process. This is a political decision, not a legal one,” he told reporters outside the court in Tehran.
Iran has a long record of using death sentences against foreign nationals as leverage in diplomatic disputes. The British government has previously secured the release of dual nationals, but the current case is complicated by the lack of diplomatic relations between London and Tehran.
Human rights organisations have called for immediate international intervention. Amnesty International said the couple should be released unconditionally. “This is a clear violation of international law. Iran must halt the executions immediately,” a spokesperson said.
The couple’s families have appealed for privacy but begged the government to do more. They have not been allowed visitation rights since the trial began.
The rejection of the appeal follows a pattern of escalating tensions between Iran and the West. Last month, Iran executed a Swedish-Iranian dissident, sparking widespread condemnation.
For now, the couple remain in solitary confinement, their fate hanging in the balance. The British government faces mounting pressure to take stronger action, including expelling Iranian diplomats or imposing fresh sanctions.
As one family member put it: “We are living a nightmare. The clock is ticking. We need our government to act, not just talk.”
