Son Of British Couple Held In Afghanistan Fears For Their Lives; Taliban Assures Medical Care

Last Updated:July 23, 2025, 21:26 IST

Following their arrest, the couple was initially held at Pul-e-Charkhi prison.

The couple was arrested in early February from their home in Bamiyan province

The fate of an elderly couple imprisoned in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime remains uncertain. Peter Reynolds, 80, and his wife Barbie, 76, have been detained for over six months. Despite repeated appeals from their children and the UK government, the Taliban maintains that the formalities for their release are still incomplete.

The couple was arrested in early February from their home in Bamiyan province, located in central Afghanistan. The exact reason for their detention has not been officially confirmed. Peter and Barbie Reynolds had been running educational training programs in Afghanistan for 18 years and chose to remain in the country even after the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. A source familiar with the case told AFP in April that their arrest may have been linked to their possession of several non-Islamic books.

Following their arrest, the couple was initially held at Pul-e-Charkhi prison, where they were allowed to contact their children. They were later transferred to the General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI), with the promise that they would be released within a day or two. However, that promise has not been fulfilled.

Their son, Jonathan Reynolds, recently expressed his growing fears in an interview with the BBC. The couple last contacted their family on June 15. According to Jonathan, their health is deteriorating rapidly, and the continued detention could be fatal. He emphasised the urgent need for their release and proper medical attention.

The family has previously stated that a remote medical assessment indicated Peter may have suffered a heart attack or silent stroke. There are also concerns that his skin cancer could have returned, requiring immediate treatment. Barbie is reportedly experiencing numbness in her feet, which may be a sign of anaemia.

Officials from the UK Foreign Office are in contact with the Taliban to expedite the release process. Meanwhile, UN officials have condemned the couple’s detention, warning that they could suffer “irreparable harm or even death" if denied timely medical care. “The psychological toll on their health from not knowing why they are being held or when they will be released is cruel treatment," said UN experts.

In response, the Taliban has claimed that the couple is being treated well. “All their human rights are being respected. They are receiving medical care," Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi stated at a recent press conference.

London, United Kingdom (UK)

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