Couple held in Iran

[StrawDonkey]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c626p6pz7xlo

AIBU to not understand why anyone would go on a motorcycle trip to Iran? Advice is not to go there at all but I can understand that someone desperate to see family would take a risk.

Imagine the photos won’t have helped. They don’t come across as very respectful.

Plus, one of the news reports says they’d said on their social media they were having to use a vpn, in order to post on social media while there. Pretty sure that’s illegal so why advertise it publicly? It’s like taunting the authorities. Why post anything while there if only planning to be there for a few days?

In another of the photos, she has her hand on what looks like a bottle of beer. Even if taken in a neighbouring Islamic country (she had her head covered), I imagine that won’t have gone down well. Apparent shocking lack of cultural awareness.

The Foreign Office advise against travel to certain regions in Pakistan which unfortunately have regular terrorist attacks (rarely reported in the western media as they are so frequent).
Pakistan is a beautiful country with wonderful people and the authorities do not detain foreigners for no reason.

This ⬆️ x 💯

Pretty dumb thing to do. You go motor cycling around Europe. Not fucking Iran

The Iranian state isn’t ‘good and kind’ to its citizens, but they thought the regime would be nice to Lindsay and Craig from england. It’s privileged thinking when the authorities imprison so many people for nothing.

They are idiots. But maybe not. Might be after a book deal and TV appearances.

They will eventually be released even if that is after a few years.

They're idiots, they knew the risks and ignored them. They should be left there without help and funding from the uk.

I have a friend from Iran who would love to go back to see the country and family, she won't though as she knows the risks.

You can just imagine them on Lorraine, all wide eyed and serious, and Lorraine saying "yous must have been really really SCARED"..

What a pair of dicks

I take exception to the "middle class and middle age" labels that translate as slurs. I am both. I wouldn't do something as reckless as this and I understand people's annoyance but there is an inverted snobbery being weaved through this thread.

You can see the tour guide on instagram.

I also hope the people don't get into trouble.

She won't see the milk if human kidness in jail.

I object to the fact that people think the man is to blame and women can’t be as foolhardy and make their own decisions.

I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall as they were arrested. Him standing there grinning like an idiot whilst she is prancing around making stupid faces whilst the Iranian forces stand there stoney faced!

Her - 'We love you guys! How about a hug.....'

Iranian - 'We are going to hang you by your ankles and feed you mouldy rice and water until we decide whether to give you a public flogging or a stoning!'

Husband - 'Oh I say chaps! That doesn't sound like much fun!'

Her (Giggling) - 'They're just joshing! Let's all hold hands and have a sing song about how lovely everyone is ..... tra la la la!'

Iranian - ' Stupid infidels! Prepare the electric shock machine....!'

.........

With the wide-eyed, naive, innocent world view she seems to espouse, along with the leverage of a doctorate in Psychology, I would be very worried about any situation people found themselves in when taking advice from her. This world view could easily blind her to enacting appropriate safeguards.

Caveat: I don't know about how she implements her life-coach/psychology advice.

Resentment for what?

Exactly this. They will in all liklihood be held on trumped up charges like "spying" until Iran can extract something they want from the British authorities.

To the tune of £millions

“How I found humanity in Iran’s most notorious prison”

I'm sure they aren't bad people , but if someone that stupid/naive can get a Phd , the UK needs to be looking at it's tertiary standards! And it was always going to be psychology or sociology. " It's amazing the things that unite us , the kindness humility and respect" Straight out of textbook 4. AND THEN " Oh why am in prison? I don't understand." You ask the nearest person standing on the street anywhere in the world and they will know. It's Iran!! Were they planning on popping into North Korea for a bit of sightseeing next?

So a woman smiling is now considered a possessed loon? Lovely.

They were with a tour guide. Other countries visitors don’t need then, only US, UK and Canadian. But FCO advice is don’t go. Other countries have different advice for their nationals.

tour companies still offer tours for UK nationals and you can get specialist insurance. I’ve always wanted to go but should have gone 15 years ago…

The late, great Joyce Grenfell would have excelled as main female character in a '50s type comedy in this scenario!

The Foreign Office issues travel advice for a reason, if you choose to completely disregard it, you do so at your own risk. From what I’ve read, this couple had no reason to travel to Iran other than to publicise their travels

I guess the problem when in your 50s is even just a few stressful years in a tough prison, with limited access to medical treatment, can pose much greater risks of inadequately treated life-threatening or debilitating ailments. Nazanin was late 30s when arrested.