In an evolving situation, the couple's family is calling for diplomatic intervention as the Taliban examines their case.
**Taliban Promises Swift Release of Detained British Couple Amid Ongoing Tensions**
**Taliban Promises Swift Release of Detained British Couple Amid Ongoing Tensions**
The Taliban has committed to working towards the prompt release of two British nationals, Peter and Barbie Reynolds, arrested in Afghanistan.
The Taliban has assured the BBC that it is making every effort to secure the release of Peter Reynolds, 79, and his wife Barbie, 75, who have been detained since February 1 while in Afghanistan’s Bamiyan province. Alongside them, an American citizen and an Afghan individual were also taken into custody, according to the Ministry of Interior Affairs.
Taliban official Abdul Mateen Qani commented that various factors are under consideration, and an evaluation is underway to facilitate the couple’s release "as soon as possible." The UK Foreign Office has expressed its commitment to assisting the Reynolds' family during this challenging time.
Though the specific reasons for the couple's detention remain unclear, they have dedicated 18 years to humanitarian work in Afghanistan, focusing on training projects that benefitted local mothers and children. Their initiatives reportedly received authorization from local governance, despite a broader ban imposed by the Taliban on female education beyond the age of 12 and female employment in NGOs.
The pair has lived in Afghanistan since their marriage in Kabul in 1970, enduring through the Taliban's resurgence in August 2021 that prompted many westerners to flee the region. Their daughter, Sarah Entwistle, has reported a lack of communication from her parents for over two weeks, after initial contact ceased abruptly following their arrest.
In an emotional appeal made to the Taliban, the couple's children acknowledged previous instances where negotiations had been fruitful for foreign nationals but firmly stated that their parents are unlikely to engage in ransom discussions or exchanges, having committed themselves to their work in Afghanistan.
Sarah Entwistle reiterated the family’s desire for clarity from the Taliban regarding her parents' situation and urgently called on the British consulate to take necessary measures to expedite their release. With the UK embassy in Kabul closed and diplomatic support for British citizens in Afghanistan significantly limited, the family is striving for swift action amidst tightening restrictions in the country.
Taliban official Abdul Mateen Qani commented that various factors are under consideration, and an evaluation is underway to facilitate the couple’s release "as soon as possible." The UK Foreign Office has expressed its commitment to assisting the Reynolds' family during this challenging time.
Though the specific reasons for the couple's detention remain unclear, they have dedicated 18 years to humanitarian work in Afghanistan, focusing on training projects that benefitted local mothers and children. Their initiatives reportedly received authorization from local governance, despite a broader ban imposed by the Taliban on female education beyond the age of 12 and female employment in NGOs.
The pair has lived in Afghanistan since their marriage in Kabul in 1970, enduring through the Taliban's resurgence in August 2021 that prompted many westerners to flee the region. Their daughter, Sarah Entwistle, has reported a lack of communication from her parents for over two weeks, after initial contact ceased abruptly following their arrest.
In an emotional appeal made to the Taliban, the couple's children acknowledged previous instances where negotiations had been fruitful for foreign nationals but firmly stated that their parents are unlikely to engage in ransom discussions or exchanges, having committed themselves to their work in Afghanistan.
Sarah Entwistle reiterated the family’s desire for clarity from the Taliban regarding her parents' situation and urgently called on the British consulate to take necessary measures to expedite their release. With the UK embassy in Kabul closed and diplomatic support for British citizens in Afghanistan significantly limited, the family is striving for swift action amidst tightening restrictions in the country.
