The daughter of an elderly British couple imprisoned in Afghanistan for unclear reasons says that she worried her parents could die in jail as their health deteriorates.
Peter, 79, and Barbie Reynolds, 75, were arrested after they returned to their home in Bamiyan province on February 1 for as-yet-unknown reasons.
While they weren’t officially charged with any crimes, it is believed that the Taliban took an interest in the couple as they ran a course teaching women mothering skills as the terror group places severe restrictions on the education of women.
Since their arrest nearly two months ago, Sarah Entwistle, the couple’s eldest daughter, said that her father’s health was in decline and that her mother had been ‘collapsing due to malnutrition.’
Since Peter was separated from his wife and moved to a maximum security prison by the Taliban, he has suffered from a chest infection, a double eye infection and severe digestive issues, Entwistle told the Times, adding that without immediate access to medicine, his life is at risk.
She added: ‘He’s experiencing tremors in his head and left arm.’
Sarah told the newspaper that her family was particularly frustrated by the fact that her parents continue to be held by the Taliban even after they repeatedly told her that Peter and Barbie would be imminently released due to misunderstandings.
‘The guards indicated that a different judge would now be handling the case, and we continue to hope they will receive a fair hearing in the coming week,’ Entwistle said.
It comes days after the couple were said to have been hauled off to court at a moment’s notice alongside their interpreter who has been now been detained as a ‘suspect.’
In a worrying update shared with the Mail, the Reynolds’ daughter, Sarah Entwistle, who is from Daventry, Northamptonshire, said Mrs Reynolds had called her from a pay phone to reveal the ‘distressing’ news they are to be hauled to court on Thursday.
Mrs Entwistle said: ‘They have not been informed of any charges having been filed against them.
‘The reason for the court hearing remains unclear.’
In an alarming twist, the couple’s interpreter, who has been caring for Mr Reynolds amid his health woes, is now being detained as a ‘suspect’ without being told the charges against him, she added.
‘He will no longer be allowed to translate for them, and is also due to be produced in court, together with them, tomorrow.
‘Mum is obviously extremely concerned that without a competent interpreter, their case cannot be accurately or fairly represented and will not be able to properly follow or engage in the proceedings, in serious breach of their rights.’
The Reynolds refused to flee Afghanistan when the Taliban unexpectedly seized power in August 2021, arguing ‘they could not leave when Afghans were in their hour of need’, Mrs Entwistle said.
Mr and Mrs Reynolds married in Kabul in 1970 after meeting as students at Bath University.
They have dual British Afghan citizenship and have lived in the country for 18 years.
They run five schools in Kabul, which includes a mothers and children training programme reportedly approved by the Taliban.