The British couple in Afghanistan published as “soon”, says Taliban

A British couple in the 1970s, which was arrested by the Taliban in Afghanistan, will be released, the group said.

The 79 -year -old Peter Reynolds and his wife Barbie (75) were arrested on February 1st together with an American national and an Afghan translator when they returned to their house in the province of Central Bamiyan.

The couple have been living in the country for 18 years and has been carrying out training projects since 2009, including a program that included the training of mothers and children.

After the Taliban had overthrown the government in 2021, it decided to stay in the country despite most employees, other Western and British diplomats that leave the country in a quick withdrawal.

Her daughter Sarah Destle, who lives in Northamptonshire, told The Sunday times That their parents “could not go when Afghans were in need” and that they were “meticulous” to keep the rules.

In a statement, the Talibanian official Abdul Mateen Qani said: “A number of considerations are taken into account, and after the evaluation we will strive to publish them as soon as possible.”

No further details were given for their arrest. The foreign office said on Monday that it supports the couple's family.

An employee who had previously worked with her reconstruction training company said that Mr. Reynolds had been denied access to cardiac medication and that his condition was “not good”.

They said: “The Taliban did not find misconduct by Peter or the Rebuild organization, but they locked them up without crime or guilt.

“It seems that Peter loses his life because he needs medication and the Taliban does not allow him if Peter and Barbie are not released.”

The employee describes the British couple and said: “They are the most honorable people I have ever met in my life.

“Since the US financial support of the Taliban has been cut off, the Taliban try to take foreign hostages in order to gain concessions from Western governments.”

Since entering power, the Taliban have dramatically restricted the rights of women, to which the ban on education for girls over 12 years of age and cannot be admitted to them that they work or speak in public.

In 2022, they announced that women have been working for non -governmental organizations (NGOs (NGOs, and since then declared that they would close all the NGOs who employ women.

It is assumed that the couple's family initially did not want the British government to work on the case.

In her letter to the Taliban, Ms. Destle and her siblings wrote: “Our parents have consistently expressed their commitment to Afghanistan and explains that they would rather sacrifice their lives than to become part of the ransom negotiations.”

Since then, they have informed Times radio that they urgently demand the British consulate to provide support and put the Taliban as much pressure as possible for their release.

According to the Federal Foreign Office, the support for British citizens in Afghanistan is “very limited” and advises against all trips to the country.