A British couple in their seventies, known for their long-standing humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan, has been detained by the Taliban in Bamiyan province.
Peter Reynolds, 79, and his wife Barbie, 75, were taken into custody on February 1 while returning home to Bamiyan, where they have spent nearly two decades running training programs for local communities.
Their daughter, Sarah Entwistle, told the BBC she had not heard from her parents in over two weeks, raising serious concerns for their safety.
A Life of Service in Afghanistan
The couple’s humanitarian work focused on training mothers and children, a program reportedly approved by local authorities despite the Taliban’s restrictions on women’s employment and girls’ education beyond the age of 12.
Peter and Barbie Reynolds first fell in love with Afghanistan in the 1970s when they married in Kabul after meeting at the University of Bath. Over the years, they launched training initiatives in five schools in the capital before expanding their work to Bamiyan.
Even after the Taliban regained power in August 2021—leading most Westerners to leave the country—the couple remained steadfast, insisting they could not abandon the Afghan people in their “hour of need.”
Their daughter, Sarah, who lives in Daventry, Northamptonshire, has urged the Taliban to release her parents so they can “return home and continue their work.”
Fears for Their Health
Initially, the couple managed to send text messages to their four children, confirming they were being held by the Taliban’s interior ministry and were “fine.” However, all communication ceased three days later, and no updates have been received since.
Sarah Entwistle expressed deep concern over her father’s health, noting that he had suffered a mini-stroke and required heart medication—medicine he has reportedly been denied access to since his detention.
“We are devastated,” she told The Sunday Times. “My mother is 75, my father almost 80, and they were just trying to help the country they loved.”
She emphasized that her parents had always been careful to follow local regulations, even as they changed under Taliban rule.
The couple were reportedly arrested alongside their American friend, Faye Hall, and a translator affiliated with their organization. An employee close to the detained group described them as “the most honourable people I have ever met” and confirmed that Mr. Reynolds’ health was deteriorating due to lack of medication.
Taliban’s Justification for Arrest
While confirming the detention of British nationals, Taliban officials claimed the individuals were working for an NGO in Bamiyan and had been arrested nearly 20 days ago.
According to an official speaking to the BBC, the detainees were accused of using a plane without informing local police or border security forces.
The Taliban, which banned women from working with NGOs in 2022, has also intensified restrictions on non-governmental organizations operating without formal approval.
Sarah Entwistle and her siblings have written a letter to the Taliban, pleading for their parents’ release.
“We do not understand the reasons behind their arrest,” they wrote. “They have placed their trust in you, and as Afghan citizens, they believe they will be treated fairly.”
The family also emphasized that their parents had no interest in being used in ransom negotiations or political exchanges, reaffirming their lifelong dedication to Afghanistan.
