A British couple in their seventies, Peter Reynolds (79) and his wife Barbie (75), have been detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan. The incident occurred on February 1st as they were returning to their home in Bamiyan.
Peter and Barbie, who have been operating training schools in Afghanistan for 18 years, informed their four children via text that they were being held by the interior ministry and were safe. Their daughter, Sarah Entwistle, shared with The Sunday Times that her parents were devoted to helping the country they cherished.
During the raid of their home, Taliban officials questioned their employees about possible religious proselytizing activities, according to The Sunday Times.
Married in Kabul in 1970, the couple was urged to leave the country when the Taliban regained power in August 2021. However, they chose to stay, feeling they couldn’t abandon the Afghans in their time of need. Barbie was notably honored by the Taliban, becoming the first woman to receive a certificate of appreciation for their impactful programs.
Mrs. Entwistle, hailing from Daventry, Northamptonshire, expressed concerns about her parents’ wellbeing, highlighting that her father requires heart medication following a mini-stroke.
Holding dual citizenship, the Reynolds oversee five schools in Kabul, including a mother and child training program reportedly sanctioned by authorities.
In response to their detention, Mrs. Entwistle and her three brothers have penned an open letter to the Taliban, pleading for the release of their parents.
