A British teacher arrested with his wife in Afghanistan runs the risk of dying after he has denied access to heart medication, a colleague claimed.
Peter Reynolds, 79, and his wife Barbie, 75, were held when they traveled to their house in the province of Bamyan of the country on 1 February, an employee of the training company of the couple confirmed.
They added that the couple was arrested next to an American friend, Faye Hall, who had rented a plane to travel with them, and a translator of the reconstruction activities of the couple.
The rebuilding employee said the group was told that their flight “did not coordinate with the local government,” and added that the three were captured in Kabul.
Mr. Reynolds is refused access to heart medication and his condition is 'not good', according to the employee.
They said: 'The Taliban found no misconduct by Peter or the rebuilding organization, but they caught them without any crime or guilt.
“It seems that if Peter and Barbie are not released quickly, Peter can lose his life because he needs medication and the Taliban does not allow him.”
Peter Reynolds, 79, and his wife Barbie, 75, were held when they traveled to their house in the province of Bamyan from the country on 1 February
The employee described the British couple, said: 'They are the most honorable people I have ever met in my life.
'Peter and Barbie are very dear to us, but unfortunately we can do nothing. We can't even visit them in prison.
“Since the American financial aid has been cut off at the Taliban, the Taliban trying to take foreign hostages to get concessions from Western governments.”
The employee said that all reconstructors were 'in danger' and 'most of them are displaced and live in hiding'.
Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds have carried out school training programs for 18 years and remained in the country after the Taliban takeover in 2021.
The couple, who originally met at the University of Bath, married in Kabul in 1970.
Their daughter, Sarah Entwistle, from Daventry, Northmeltonshire, told The Sunday Times: 'My mother is 75 and my father almost 80 and needs his heart medication after a mini stroke.
“They just tried to help the country they loved.”
Taliban hunters who work as a police patrol part of the capital, Kabul
After taking power, the Taliban introduced a ban on women who work and education for girls older than 12.
In a letter to the Taliban, Mrs. Entwistle and her three brothers argue to release their parents.
They wrote: 'We do not understand the reasons behind their arrest.
“They have communicated their confidence in you, and that they are treated well as Afghan citizens.”
It is understood that the family of the couple did not want the British government to become involved in the case.
In their letter to the Taliban, Mrs. Entwistle and her brothers and sisters wrote: “Our parents consistently pronounced their dedication to Afghanistan, and stated that they would rather sacrifice their lives than to be part of ransom negotiations or are traded.”
The foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office refused to comment.
