Taliban Seeks to Expedite Release of Arrested British Couple in Afghanistan
Peter and Barbie Reynolds were detained alongside an American national and a translator while traveling in Kabul.
Peter Reynolds, 79, and his wife Barbie, 75, were detained on February 1 while traveling to their residence in Bamyan province, according to a representative from their training organization, Rebuild.
The couple, along with their American friend Faye Hall and a translator, were arrested by the Taliban, reportedly due to their flight not being coordinated with local authorities.
This information was corroborated by an employee of Rebuild who confirmed that the group is currently imprisoned in Kabul.
Taliban official Abdul Mateen Qani announced in a statement that their release is a priority and that a series of considerations are being evaluated to facilitate their detainment's conclusion.
Mr. Qani noted that the three foreign nationals possess Afghan passports and national identification cards.
However, further details surrounding the specific reasons for their arrest have not been disclosed.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in the UK has acknowledged its involvement in supporting the families of those detained.
Reports indicate that Mr. Reynolds has been denied access to essential heart medication, raising concerns about his well-being.
An employee from Rebuild expressed dire fears for his health, stating that Mr. Reynolds could face life-threatening consequences without his medication.
Statements from the Rebuild employee characterized the couple as honorable individuals committed to their work in Afghanistan despite the political turmoil since the Taliban's resurgence in 2021. The Reynolds have been active in educational endeavors in Afghanistan for nearly two decades, continuing their efforts even after the Taliban's takeover.
The couple, who originally met at the University of Bath and married in Kabul in 1970, have raised concerns about the context in which they were arrested, with suggestions that the Taliban may be attempting to leverage foreign hostagetaking for concessions from Western governments due to the withdrawal of U.S. financial aid.
Their daughter, Sarah Entwistle, reported her father’s medical condition, emphasizing the urgency of their situation given their ages.
Despite the family's distress, they have reportedly requested that the UK government refrain from intervening in the case, expressing their parents' longstanding commitment to Afghanistan and their desire to avoid entanglements that could resemble ransom negotiations.
Since the Taliban assumed power, they have instituted various measures restricting women’s rights, including bans on female employment and education for girls beyond the age of 12.
The couple, along with their American friend Faye Hall and a translator, were arrested by the Taliban, reportedly due to their flight not being coordinated with local authorities.
This information was corroborated by an employee of Rebuild who confirmed that the group is currently imprisoned in Kabul.
Taliban official Abdul Mateen Qani announced in a statement that their release is a priority and that a series of considerations are being evaluated to facilitate their detainment's conclusion.
Mr. Qani noted that the three foreign nationals possess Afghan passports and national identification cards.
However, further details surrounding the specific reasons for their arrest have not been disclosed.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in the UK has acknowledged its involvement in supporting the families of those detained.
Reports indicate that Mr. Reynolds has been denied access to essential heart medication, raising concerns about his well-being.
An employee from Rebuild expressed dire fears for his health, stating that Mr. Reynolds could face life-threatening consequences without his medication.
Statements from the Rebuild employee characterized the couple as honorable individuals committed to their work in Afghanistan despite the political turmoil since the Taliban's resurgence in 2021. The Reynolds have been active in educational endeavors in Afghanistan for nearly two decades, continuing their efforts even after the Taliban's takeover.
The couple, who originally met at the University of Bath and married in Kabul in 1970, have raised concerns about the context in which they were arrested, with suggestions that the Taliban may be attempting to leverage foreign hostagetaking for concessions from Western governments due to the withdrawal of U.S. financial aid.
Their daughter, Sarah Entwistle, reported her father’s medical condition, emphasizing the urgency of their situation given their ages.
Despite the family's distress, they have reportedly requested that the UK government refrain from intervening in the case, expressing their parents' longstanding commitment to Afghanistan and their desire to avoid entanglements that could resemble ransom negotiations.
Since the Taliban assumed power, they have instituted various measures restricting women’s rights, including bans on female employment and education for girls beyond the age of 12.
