A 79-year-old British man, Peter Reynolds, who operates a business in Afghanistan, is in grave danger after being imprisoned by the Taliban along with his wife, according to his family. Reynolds and his wife, Barbie, 75, were detained last month in Bamiyan province, where they have a home. Their daughter, Sarah Entwistle, expressed concern over her father's declining health, noting he has developed a chest infection, eye infections, and digestive issues due to inadequate nutrition.
Entwistle emphasized the urgency of her father's need for heart medication, which he requires following a mini-stroke before his detention. She reported that Reynolds is suffering from severe pain after being "beaten and shackled." In an appeal to the Taliban, she urged them to release her parents so they can access necessary medical treatment, framing it as an opportunity for the Taliban to show compassion.
The couple's business, Rebuild, has been active in Afghan schools for 18 years, continuing even after the Taliban's return to power in 2021. Barbie was notably the first woman to receive a certificate of appreciation from the Taliban. The couple, along with an American-Chinese friend, Faye Hall, and a translator, were arrested on February 1. The reason for their detention is unclear, but Entwistle speculates it may be linked to their educational activities with mothers and children.
In the past, the Taliban accused the couple of teaching against Islam, but those charges were dropped. The family maintains that Reynolds and his wife have respected Taliban rule and adapted to Islamic laws. A Rebuild employee mentioned that the group was informed their flight wasn't coordinated with local authorities, leading to their imprisonment in Kabul.
There was hope for their release in late February when Taliban official Abdul Mateen Qani stated that considerations were underway for their release. He noted that the detained foreigners held Afghan passports and IDs. Entwistle cautiously welcomed this development, expressing relief that the investigation did not find them teaching against Islam. She added that the issue seemed to be related to teaching parenting skills, which was reportedly against the law, though local leaders did not see it as problematic.
The couple, who met at the University of Bath and married in Kabul in 1970, became Afghan citizens after returning to the country to establish Rebuild. Initially, their family did not want UK government intervention. A Foreign Office spokesperson confirmed support for the family of the detained British nationals.