- British couple Peter and Barbie Reynolds, in their 70s, arrested by the Taliban in Bamiyan.
- Family has had no contact for over two weeks; concerns grow over Mr. Reynolds’ health.
- UK Foreign Office aware but has limited options due to lack of diplomatic ties with the Taliban.
A British couple in their seventies has been arrested by the Taliban while returning to their home in Bamiyan, Afghanistan.
Peter Reynolds, 79, and his wife Barbie, 75, were detained on 1 February. The couple has been running training projects in Afghanistan for 18 years, but their daughter, Sarah Entwistle, told the BBC she has not heard from them in over two weeks.
The exact reason for their arrest remains unclear. Their projects included training mothers and children, reportedly approved by local authorities despite the Taliban’s strict bans on women working and girls’ education beyond age 12.
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Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds first met at the University of Bath and later married in Kabul in 1970. Since 2009, they have overseen training initiatives across five schools in Kabul and one in Bamiyan. Despite the Taliban’s return to power in 2021—prompting most Westerners and their staff to leave— the couple chose to remain in Afghanistan.
Following their arrest, they were initially able to send text messages to their four children, confirming they were being held by the interior ministry and were “fine.” However, contact abruptly stopped after three days, and their whereabouts remain unknown.
Ms. Entwistle, speaking from her home in Daventry, Northamptonshire, called on the Taliban to release her parents, saying: “They were just trying to help the country they loved. The idea that they are being held because they were teaching mothers with children is outrageous.”
She also expressed concern for her father’s health, revealing that he had suffered a mini-stroke and required heart medication, which he has reportedly been denied.
The couple was detained alongside their American friend Faye Hall and a translator from their organization, according to a report by the PA news agency. A former employee described Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds as “the most honourable people I have ever met,” adding that Mr. Reynolds’ health was deteriorating in detention.
Ms. Entwistle and her three siblings have written directly to the Taliban, pleading for their parents’ release. In their letter, they stated: “We do not understand the reasons behind their arrest. They have communicated their trust in you and believe they will be treated well as Afghan citizens.”
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They also addressed concerns that their parents might be used as bargaining chips, writing: “They would rather sacrifice their lives than become part of ransom negotiations or be traded.”
The UK Foreign Office has confirmed that two British nationals have been detained in Afghanistan. However, diplomatic efforts remain restricted, as the UK does not recognise the Taliban government and has no embassy in Kabul.
Taliban sources said that British nationals were arrested in Bamiyan province, allegedly for using a plane without notifying local police or border security forces. The couple has reportedly been in detention for about 20 days.
