Friends and relatives are growing increasingly concerned about a Lancashire man and his wife who are being "unlawfully detained" in Zanzibar, Tanzania.

Simon Wood, 51, originally from Preston, and his Italian wife Francesca Scalfari, were arrested and detained on June 7.

They have an 11-year-old son called Luca, who is believed to have taken a flight alone to Italy to be with his maternal grandparents.

The couple have lived in Zanzibar for the last 20 years building a life for themselves, opening a beach-side boutique hotel and contributing to the local economy on the autonomous island in Tanzania.

However on Tuesday June 7, it is believed all this came to an abrupt end when they were both taken into custody.

A university friend of Mr Wood's, who does not wish to be named, says he believes the 51-year-old has been mistreated in jail and has had his head shaved.

He told the Lancashire Telegraph: "They are being held in terrible conditions and under Zanzibari law, can be detained for eight months without trial.  

"They managed to put their 11-year-old son, Luca, on a plane on his own to flee the island just before they were arrested.

"I’m very worried for Simon, the conditions within the jail are terrible, he’s in a cell with 200 others, and has little by way of hygiene facilities.

"It's very hot, and there is no ventilation.

"Even with this, his only concern seems to be for the discomfort of his wife who has also been jailed.

“The jail doesn’t provide food, so he’s surviving on the food that friends bring in each day which gets past the guards."

Lancashire Telegraph:

Circumstances surrounding the couple's arrest are unclear; reports in the Italian media claim the arrests come after a settled business dispute dating back to 2017 was re-opened, with the couple now facing alleged money laundering and forgery charges. 

The Lancashire Telegraph contacted the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office over Mr Wood's case, with a spokesperson saying they are supporting a British national detained in the East African country.

The university pal went on: "I’ve known Simon for almost 30 years, and he’s not capable of the charges that have been brought against him.  

"No one seems to know how an old civil case has been reopened, and had severe state charges added to it.

"Under Zanzibari law, people accused of money laundering are not eligible for bail, and so, they have been kept in jail since their arrest. 

"We don’t yet know how charges relating to a civil case have now re-arisen as a state prosecution.

"Family have only been allowed in once to visit them, and their lawyer doesn’t always get let in. 

"There was due to be a hearing on June 16, where the prosecution was to present its case. 

"We’ve not heard the outcome of this as yet. The case is due to be heard again on June 21."

According to Mr Wood's friend, the British Deputy High Commissioner has met with officials of the Zanzibari government and has been to see Mr Wood, who says while the conditions he is in are difficult, he is ok. 

The friend went on: "Simon and Francesca have for years been very vocal in their love of, and the beauty of Zanzibar, and through their hotel website and Francesca’s facebook account.

"They have rarely missed an opportunity to promote the island they now find themselves imprisoned in."

The story has been running in the Italian media since June 17, with further details of the couple's arrest, which have not yet been substantiated by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. 

A Facebook page has also been set up in support of Simon and Francesca which has already attracted more than 2,700 supporters. 

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said: “We are supporting a British National detained in Tanzania and are in contact with the local authorities."