RASC News Agency: The Taliban have confirmed the detention of an elderly British couple, along with a Chinese-American citizen and their Afghanistani interpreter, in Bamyan province. However, the Taliban have offered no explanation regarding the reasons or conditions of their arrest. As reported by The Associated Press, Abdul Mateen Qani, spokesperson for the Taliban’s Ministry of Interior, said:
“Four individuals have been detained: two British citizens with Afghanistani identification and passports, a Chinese-American national, and their interpreter, who was attempting to resolve the situation.”
The British couple, Peter Reynolds (79) and Barbie Reynolds (75), had been residing in Bamyan since 2006, where they managed an organization called “Rebuild”, focused on education and employment training for both the public and private sectors. Despite repeated warnings from the British government about the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan, the couple decided to remain in the country following the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021. This confirmation follows an earlier report by The Sunday Times, which stated that the elderly British couple had been detained by the Taliban in Bamyan. According to the report, they were arrested on February 1 after returning to their home in Bamyan.
Initially, during the first few days of their detention, the couple managed to send messages to their four children, assuring them of their well-being and confirming they were under the supervision of the Taliban’s Ministry of Interior. However, after three days, all communication from them abruptly stopped. Local sources reported that Taliban forces raided the couple’s residence, interrogating their staff about any potential involvement in religious propaganda. It is important to note that Peter and Barbie Reynolds first married in Kabul in 1970. After the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, the couple decided to remain in Afghanistan, despite recommendations to leave. Their family insists that the couple has been engaged solely in education and parenting skill development programs and has committed no illegal activities.
The children of the detained British couple have now urged the Taliban to release them, citing their advanced age and urgent medical needs.
