British Couple Detained by Taliban Amid Health Concerns and Family Appeals
Peter and Barbie Reynolds, a British couple in their 70s, were arrested by the Taliban in Afghanistan while traveling home. They were detained alongside friends due to flight coordination issues with local authorities. Peter’s health is declining without essential medication, prompting worries from their employed staff and family. Their situation reflects the increasing danger for foreigners in Afghanistan amid the Taliban’s resurgence and changing political landscape.
A British couple, Peter Reynolds (79) and his wife Barbie (75), were apprehended by the Taliban in Afghanistan on February 1 while en route to their home in Bamyan province. They were traveling with their American friend Faye Hall, who had chartered a plane, and a translator affiliated with their training business, Rebuild. The group was informed that their flight lacked coordination with local authorities and has since been imprisoned in Kabul.
Peter Reynolds has been denied crucial heart medication, and his health has deteriorated. According to a Rebuild employee, the Taliban found no wrongdoing by the couple or their organization, yet they remain incarcerated without any charges. The employee further expressed concern for Peter’s health, stating that he might not survive if he isn’t released soon.
The couple is described as honorable and dedicated, with the employee highlighting their commitment to helping Afghanistan. The situation has grown more dangerous for Rebuild employees since the cessation of U.S. financial aid, leaving many in hiding or displaced. Despite the risks, the Reynolds have operated school training programs in Afghanistan for 18 years and continued their efforts after the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.
Peter and Barbie first met at the University of Bath and wed in Kabul in 1970. Their daughter, Sarah Entwistle, has publicly appealed for their release, emphasizing their dedication to Afghanistan despite the challenges. She noted her father’s urgent need for medication following a mini-stroke. The family has expressed confusion and distress regarding the rationale behind their parents’ detention.
Amid the Taliban’s crackdown on women’s rights, including a banning of work and education for girls over 12, the couple remains dedicated to their cause. In a letter to the Taliban, their children requested compassion, indicating their parents’ trust in being treated well as Afghan citizens. They articulated a plea for understanding the reasons for their arrest and urged for their parents’ release without delay.
The detention of British couple Peter and Barbie Reynolds highlights the precarious situation for foreign nationals in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. Despite their humanitarian efforts, they face dire consequences, primarily due to a lack of communication with local authorities. The couple’s health risks and their family’s urgent pleas underscore the broader implications of foreign relations and the deteriorating human rights conditions in the region.
Original Source: www.independent.co.uk
