British Couple Held by Taliban May Die in Prison as Health Deteriorates
An 80-year-old man suffers convulsions, while his 76-year-old wife is weakened by malnutrition and anemia.
The son of a British couple detained by the Taliban five months ago has warned that they may die in prison due to their rapidly deteriorating health.
Peter Reynolds, 80, and Barbie, 76, were arrested on February 1 while returning to their home in central Bamiyan province, Afghanistan.
Their son Jonathan Reynolds expressed concern over his parents' condition, stating that his father suffers from serious convulsions and his mother is 'numb' due to malnutrition and anemia.The exact reasons for their detention remain unclear.
In February, a Taliban official assured the BBC that they planned to release the couple 'as soon as possible.' The United Nations (UN) has also raised concerns about their situation, describing it as inhumane and urging immediate medical attention to prevent potential death from degrading conditions.Reynolds explained that his parents had been held in harsh conditions, including a maximum-security prison, despite being deemed innocent by a judge and facing no charges.
They were reportedly chained to criminals and spent six weeks in a basement without sunlight.The couple's health situation worsened during their last contact with family on June 15.
Their son described his father's condition as deteriorating rapidly, noting symptoms resembling early Parkinson's disease.
He also mentioned that Peter Reynolds experienced convulsions on the prison floor.
Barbie Reynolds suffers from blue hands and feet due to anemia and malnutrition.Jonathan Reynolds expressed gratitude for the communication received from the Foreign Office (FCDO) but criticized the lack of progress in securing their release.
The couple has observed several anniversaries, including their 55th wedding anniversary in prison.
They have been married since 1970 in Kabul.The UN emphasized that the pair's health is rapidly declining and called for their immediate transfer to a civilian hospital.
They questioned the reasons behind their detention and urged an immediate review of the grounds for their imprisonment.A Taliban official initially stated that they would release the couple 'as soon as possible' after evaluating the situation, but no further actions have been taken since then.
The FCDO has not provided a response to these concerns.The UK embassy in Kabul closed following the Taliban's return to power in 2021, significantly limiting support for British nationals in Afghanistan and advising against travel to the country.
Peter Reynolds, 80, and Barbie, 76, were arrested on February 1 while returning to their home in central Bamiyan province, Afghanistan.
Their son Jonathan Reynolds expressed concern over his parents' condition, stating that his father suffers from serious convulsions and his mother is 'numb' due to malnutrition and anemia.The exact reasons for their detention remain unclear.
In February, a Taliban official assured the BBC that they planned to release the couple 'as soon as possible.' The United Nations (UN) has also raised concerns about their situation, describing it as inhumane and urging immediate medical attention to prevent potential death from degrading conditions.Reynolds explained that his parents had been held in harsh conditions, including a maximum-security prison, despite being deemed innocent by a judge and facing no charges.
They were reportedly chained to criminals and spent six weeks in a basement without sunlight.The couple's health situation worsened during their last contact with family on June 15.
Their son described his father's condition as deteriorating rapidly, noting symptoms resembling early Parkinson's disease.
He also mentioned that Peter Reynolds experienced convulsions on the prison floor.
Barbie Reynolds suffers from blue hands and feet due to anemia and malnutrition.Jonathan Reynolds expressed gratitude for the communication received from the Foreign Office (FCDO) but criticized the lack of progress in securing their release.
The couple has observed several anniversaries, including their 55th wedding anniversary in prison.
They have been married since 1970 in Kabul.The UN emphasized that the pair's health is rapidly declining and called for their immediate transfer to a civilian hospital.
They questioned the reasons behind their detention and urged an immediate review of the grounds for their imprisonment.A Taliban official initially stated that they would release the couple 'as soon as possible' after evaluating the situation, but no further actions have been taken since then.
The FCDO has not provided a response to these concerns.The UK embassy in Kabul closed following the Taliban's return to power in 2021, significantly limiting support for British nationals in Afghanistan and advising against travel to the country.
