LONDON: ‌British foreign minister Yvette Cooper on Thursday condemned as “totally unjustifiable” the 10-year ​sentence given to two British nationals detained in Iran, saying the government would continue pressing for their release.

Craig and Lindsay Foreman had been charged ‌with espionage after ‌Iran accused ​them ‌of ⁠gathering ​information in ⁠several parts of the country.

“We will pursue this case relentlessly with the Iranian government until we see Craig and Lindsay Foreman ⁠safely returned to the UK ‌and ‌reunited with their ​family,” Cooper ‌said in a statement.

Joe Bennett, ‌Lindsay’s son, said in a separate statement the couple had appeared at a three-hour trial ‌on October 27 of last year in which they ⁠were ⁠not allowed to present a defense.

“We have seen no evidence to support the charge of espionage,” he said, adding that the family was deeply concerned about the couple’s welfare and the lack ​of ​transparency in the judicial process.