Elderly Couple Held by Taliban in Afghanistan Sparks Concerns for Their Health
The children of an elderly couple detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan have called for their release, fearing their parents may not survive captivity.
They stated that the UN is expected to issue a statement on Monday demanding the immediate release of Barbie Reynolds, 76, and her husband Peter, 80. The couple was taken into custody in February while traveling to their home in Bamyan province, central Afghanistan.
They have now been held without formal charges for over five months. Until two months ago, they were separated and kept in a high-security prison.
Their four adult children, residing in the US and UK, expressed deep concerns about their parents’ well-being. A remote medical evaluation by a cardiologist suggested Peter may have experienced a stroke or an undetected heart attack. Meanwhile, Barbie continues to suffer from numbness in her feet, linked to anemia, according to their family.
They said, “We are urgently asking the Taliban to release our parents before it is too late. They have devoted nearly two decades of their lives to supporting people in Afghanistan.”
The siblings noted they had privately contacted Taliban leaders twice and publicly appealed for their parents’ release. The couple had operated school training programs in Afghanistan for 18 years, staying even after the Taliban regained control in 2021.
The Reynolds’ children last spoke with their parents five weeks ago. In an unusual move, UK Foreign Office officials were permitted to visit them last Thursday to assess their condition.
The couple, marking their 55th wedding anniversary this week, were previously held at Pul-e-Charkhi prison in Kabul until two months ago. They were then moved to the General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI), where authorities initially assured release within days. However, no further progress has been made.
Though conditions at the GDI were reportedly better, their family said they still lacked proper bedding or furniture, sleeping on a mattress on the floor.
Sarah Entwistle, one of the children, said, "For the past two months, we avoided public statements to show respect and patience. With the UN’s upcoming statement, we are renewing our public appeal to the Taliban for their release."
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