The children of Barbie Reynolds, 76, and her husband Peter Reynolds, 80, are urgently appealing for their parents’ release from Taliban custody in Afghanistan, warning they could die while imprisoned.
The couple, long-time residents of Afghanistan, were detained in February while traveling to their home in Bamyan province. They’ve been held without charge for over five months, much of that time separated and confined in a maximum-security facility.
Barbie and Peter have lived in Afghanistan for 18 years, managing educational and training projects, and chose to remain even after the Taliban regained control in 2021. Their connection to the country spans decades — they first visited as students and eventually married in Kabul in the 1970s. They recently marked their 55th wedding anniversary behind bars.
Their four adult children, based in the UK and the US, are increasingly alarmed about their parents’ deteriorating health. In a public appeal, they said:
“We once again urgently ask the Taliban to release our parents before it’s too late. Their health is failing, and we fear they may not survive in detention. For nearly two decades, they’ve served the Afghan people with unwavering dedication.”
The family had initially appealed to Taliban leaders privately, hoping to secure their release without media attention. However, after weeks of silence and growing concern, they’ve gone public.
The last communication from their parents came five weeks ago. At that time, Mrs. Reynolds reported a decline in Mr. Reynolds’ condition. A remote assessment by a cardiologist suggested he may have suffered a stroke or silent heart attack. He is also experiencing severe facial skin issues, potentially indicating a recurrence of skin cancer. Mrs. Reynolds is reportedly suffering from foot numbness related to anaemia.
Eight weeks ago, the couple was transferred to the General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI), where they were promised imminent release. However, two months have passed with no further developments. They continue to sleep on a floor mattress without any furniture or beds.
The United Nations is expected to issue a formal call for their immediate release on Monday.
Meanwhile, the UK Foreign Office confirmed that officials were granted a rare visit to check on the couple’s wellbeing last Thursday. A spokesperson stated,
“We are providing support to the family of two British nationals currently detained in Afghanistan.”
