Fears grow for UK couple held by Taliban

Telegraph

23-03-2025

A court decision has been delayed for an elderly British couple detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan as the ­mother's health is 'rapidly deteriorating,' the family has told The Telegraph.
Peter Reynolds, 79, and his 75-year-old wife Barbie were taken to court separately yesterday in Kabul but did not appear before a judge after spending four hours chained to other prisoners.
The couple was returning to their home in Bamiyan, central Afghanistan, on Feb 1 when they were detained, ostensibly over accusations that they had fake Afghan passports.
The Reynolds, who have lived in Afghanistan for 18 years and have joint UK-Afghan citizenship, are being held separately in the Afghan capital. Prison guards told them that a different judge would be handling their case, according to their daughter.
Sarah Entwistle said yesterday: 'Despite being told that today's court appearance would result in a final decision, they spent four hours sitting on the floor, chained to other prisoners, before being returned to the prison. There are still no charges against them, and no evidence of any crime has been submitted.'
The delay comes amid serious concerns about the couple's health.
Ms Entwistle said her mother is ­ suffering from malnutrition, receiving only one meal per day compared with three meals provided to male detainees.
She said: 'Mum's health is rapidly deteriorating and she is collapsing due to malnutrition. She and the other women are provided only one meal a day. She requires support to climb the four flights of stairs to the room where the judge is located (which is not like a Western courtroom). Dad's health is also still declining and he's experiencing tremors in his head and left arm.'
The family expressed disappointment over the continued detention and unexpected delay.
Ms Entwistle said: 'We are devastated by this delay. It makes little sense, especially given that the Taliban have repeatedly stated that this situation is due to misunderstandings and that they will be released 'soon'.'
Ms Entwistle said the family hopes for a resolution this week. The couple married in Kabul in 1970, before war ravaged the capital, and set up a company to provide education and training.