The daughter of a British couple detained by the Taliban has raised alarm over their deteriorating health as court proceedings are delayed once again. The couple, Peter and Barbie Reynolds, aged 79 and 75, were arrested in Afghanistan last month, and still face no formal charges.
The Reynolds, who have spent nearly two decades working on education projects in Afghanistan, were taken into custody in Bamiyan province where they had returned to their home. Their daughter, Sarah Entwistle, expressed deep concern, saying her parents’ physical conditions are rapidly worsening due to lack of proper food and medical care in detention.
Health Concerns Mount as Detention Continues
Entwistle reported that her mother is suffering from severe malnutrition and is collapsing due to being given just one meal a day. “She and the other women are only given one meal, while the men receive three,” she said. Peter Reynolds is also facing serious health risks, experiencing tremors and lacking access to critical medication.
The family previously warned that his continued detention without treatment could be life-threatening.
Uncertainty Surrounds Delayed Court Appearance
According to Entwistle, both parents were taken separately to court last week, only to have their session postponed without seeing a judge. “They spent four hours sitting on the floor, chained to other prisoners, and were later told a different judge would now handle the case,” she said.
Barbie Reynolds reportedly needed help to climb four flights of stairs to the courtroom before learning their hearing had been cancelled. Despite reassurances from the Taliban that their release was imminent, there has been no official explanation for the delay.
No Charges Filed Despite Month-Long Detention
More than a month after their arrest on 1 February, no charges have been filed against the couple, nor has any evidence been presented. Entwistle reiterated that the Taliban have attributed the situation to a misunderstanding, yet the couple remains imprisoned.
Their interpreter, Juya, and an American-Chinese friend, Faye Hall, were also arrested during the same trip. The group had flown to Bamiyan on a plane rented by Hall. A staff member at the couple’s training company, Rebuild, was informed that the flight had not been “coordinated with the local government,” raising questions about the reason behind their arrest.
Humanitarian Work Under Scrutiny
The Reynolds have been active in Afghanistan for 18 years, primarily focusing on education initiatives for mothers and children. Although their projects had local approval in Bamiyan, they now face uncertainty in a country where women’s rights and foreign involvement have come under increased restriction since the Taliban returned to power.
