UK pensioners held by Taliban now separated in 'shocking escalation' as health fears mount

By Jon King, News Reporter

Peter Reynolds, 79, and his wife Barbie, 75, were detained as they travelled home (Image: Family handout via BBC)

A British couple jailed by the Taliban have been separated and moved to a high-security prison, their daughter has said. Peter Reynolds, 79, and his wife Barbie, 75, were detained as they travelled to their home in Bamyan province, Afghanistan, on February 1.

The couple were arrested by the Taliban along with a friend from the United States, Faye Hall. She had rented a plane to travel with them and a translator from the couple's Rebuild training business. In what she described as a "shocking escalation", their daughter, Sarah Entwistle, told The Sunday Times the pair have been separated with Mr Reynolds moved to an "undisclosed location". She said his health has "significantly deteriorated". Ms Entwistle added: "We hear he now has a chest infection, a double eye infection and serious digestive issues due to poor nutrition. Without immediate access to necessary medication, his life is in serious danger.

"Our desperate appeal to the Taliban is that they release them to their home, where they have the medication he needs to survive.

"We believe this request should be viewed not merely as a plea, but as a unique opportunity to demonstrate an unforgettable act of kindness that will resonate around the world."

A Rebuild employee said last month the group was told their flight "did not co-ordinate with the local government", adding the three have been imprisoned in Kabul.

In a statement reported by the BBC in February, Taliban official Abdul Mateen Qani said: "A series of considerations is being taken into account, and after evaluation, we will endeavour to release them as soon as possible."

Mr Qani added the three foreign nationals had Afghan passports and national ID cards.

Mr and Mrs Reynolds have run school training programmes for 18 years and remained in Afghanistan after the Taliban took over in 2021.

The couple, who originally met at the University of Bath and have four adult children, married in Kabul in 1970.

It is understood their family did not want the British Government to get involved in the case.