Peter and Barbie Reynolds, who have been detained by the Taliban for five months, are facing severe health issues, raising alarms about their potential fatality.**
Concerns Grow for British Couple Detained by Taliban Amid Health Crisis**
Concerns Grow for British Couple Detained by Taliban Amid Health Crisis**
Son warns that parents' health is rapidly declining with grim prospects in prison.**
The plight of Peter (80) and Barbie Reynolds (76), a British couple imprisoned by the Taliban in Afghanistan since February, has drawn increasing attention due to alarming reports of their deteriorating health. Their son, Jonathan Reynolds, conveyed his unease to the BBC, suggesting that his parents’ lives are at stake within the oppressive prison environment.
The couple's arrest occurred on February 1 while they were attempting to return to their home in Bamiyan province after spending over 18 years in Afghanistan, primarily engaged in educational initiatives. Jonathan disclosed that both parents are suffering greatly; his father is experiencing severe convulsions, while his mother is grappling with "numbness" stemming from malnutrition and anemia.
The United Nations has echoed these concerns, labeling their detention conditions as inhumane and warning that without urgent medical intervention, the couple's chances of survival are rapidly diminishing. A Taliban representative previously assured onlookers of their swift release, but doubts linger about the legitimacy of such claims from the Taliban, particularly given their ongoing harsh confinement.
Jonathan painted a grim picture during a recent radio interview, describing the couple’s time in a maximum-security prison, where they were treated as criminals despite being declared innocent by a judge. The couple endured brutal conditions, including a six-week period without sunlight and a lack of basic care.
The Reynolds’ last communication with their son on June 15 revealed both individuals’ fragile states, with the son describing his father's grave health complications, including tremors resembling early-stage Parkinson's. Meanwhile, his mother's severe anemia manifested visibly as blue extremities—a clear sign of inadequate nutrition and medical care.
Amid their ongoing ordeal, the couple also marked their 55th wedding anniversary in captivity, with Jonathan expressing gratitude for their shared presence even in such dire circumstances. While the UN and Jonathan continue to demand their release and proper medical attention, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has expressed limited capacity to assist, following the UK’s withdrawal of diplomatic presence from Afghanistan post-Taliban takeover.
In parallel, Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities have signaled that they are weighing considerations regarding the couple's fate. However, Jonathan remains skeptical, citing a lack of concrete action and reassurance regarding their release as weeks pass by with no resolution in sight.
