Lindsay’s son Joe travelled to Washington to an international conference on hostage taking and arbitrary detention on 12th March, to raise awareness internationally of Lindsay and Craig’s plight. With many different nations represented, it highlighted that Britain is far behind others in the way that they deal with the victims of hostage taking.

On his return this week, he and the family attended a long awaited meeting with Yvette Cooper to discuss their case. Sadly this ended in deep frustration as the extent of the lack of progress after fifteen months of arbitrary detention became clear.

During the meeting, the Foreign Secretary indicated a willingness to publicly state that Lindsay and Craig are not spies and that the UK Government rejects the charges against them, a move the family has long called for. However, this position was subsequently backtracked, with officials advising further delay.

We wanted to share Joe’s concerns with you “We are being told, once again, to wait. To wait and see. After fifteen months of inaction, that is simply not acceptable. My parents are good people. They are a coach and a carpenter, innocent tourists caught up in world events. They are not spies and our government knows this. They do not believe the charges and must say so clearly and publicly. Anything less only serves to legitimise a false narrative and prolong the suffering of innocent people.”

Lindsay and Craig are currently being held as effective human shields in an active war zone. They are alone and scared, abandoned by the embassy staff, with nourishment dwindling. A bomb exploded close enough to Evin Prison to blow out the window panels in the ward where Craig is held, sending ceiling plaster raining down on inmates who were diving under metal beds for cover.

What can you do?

Please join with them in solidarity and talk about them; redouble your efforts to ask others to sign the petition. Please continue to lobby your MPs and join with us to call for immediate and decisive action from the UK Government, including:

• A clear public statement rejecting the charges against Lindsay and Craig.
• Formal recognition of their imprisonment as arbitrary detention.
• A defined strategy to secure their safe return.

We also appreciate the generosity of your donations through Go Fund Me as this enables the family to continue to campaign.

With our great thanks for your ongoing support from the family and friends of Lindsay and Craig.