The British couple, who spent almost two decades by managing educational programs in Afghanistan, dated the Taliban earlier this month, their children said in interviews with numerous British newspapers.
The couple, Peter Reynolds and Barbie Reynolds, were arrested on February 1st when they returned home in Bamian Province in the country, according to Sunday Times London. The couple, who have been in their 70s, has long led a program that offers education and training in Afghanistan.
After the Taliban downloads in Afghanistan in 2021 and the withdrawal of Western troops from the country, the couple decided to stay despite the potential risk, according to one of their four children.
“They were just trying to help the country they loved,” said Sarah Entwistle, the oldest daughter of a married couple, for the Sunday Times.
When the Taliban came to power, it imposed a government of the Islamic Republic and returned the rights to women and other groups, including limiting access to education for women after sixth grade. Women are also prohibited in most jobs, and public spaces such as parks, gyms and salons under the Taliban law.
Mrs. Entwistle said BBC that she and her siblings could send her parents a few days after his arrest. The parents told them to be held by the Ministry of the Interior, but that they were well, she said. But she added that she had not been heard of more than two weeks and said she was afraid of their well -being for their age and because her father was currently taking medication after she had recently suffered from a stroke.
G. Reynolds, 79) and Mrs. Reynolds, 75, have worked on numerous educational projects As part of the renovation, a research and training company that they founded in 2009. One program helped teach parental skills to mothers, according to their daughter. “The idea of being held because they taught mothers with children is amazing,” Mrs. Entwistle told the Sunday Times.
The connection of the couple with Afghanistan extends to their youth. According to the website of their development company, they got married there more than 50 years ago. The reconstruction is based in Kabul, but has programs across the country.
“According to the new Islamic emirate of Afghanistan, Rebuild has grown and developed new companies with new staff, eager to help and support the future of their country,” the company writes. In the video on the website, published months after the Taliban took over control, Mr Reynolds explains Practical training they offer. The shots show women in scarves and men participating in courses, including “communication skills” and management training. In other clips, children are shown obviously to learn the alphabet.
Children of the couple wrote in a letter to Taliban divided with Associated Press, urging them to let go of the Lord and Mrs. Reynolds.
“They have always been open about their presence and their work, diligently respecting and obeying the laws of changing,” their children wrote. “They chose Afghanistan for their home, not with their family in England, and they want to spend the rest of their lives in Afghanistan.”
In their letter, the family said that the Taliban were aware of the work of the couple and that they had previously supported their efforts in training.
“We kindly seek to release their father and mother so that they can return to their job in teaching, training and serving Afghanistan, which you previously supported.”
The Talibana Government and local officials in Bamiyan did not immediately respond to the commentary request.
A spokesman for the British Foreign Affairs Office confirmed in the statement E, and “supports the family of two British nationals detained in Afghanistan,” but refused to provide further details.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises all trips to Afghanistan, pointing to the “increased risk of detention of British nationals” and the “extremely limited” ability of the British government to help those who need consular support, because there is no embassy or diplomatic relationship with Talibani.
The United States also does not have diplomatic representatives in the country and also warned that US citizens are traveling to Afghanistan. Numerous Westerners have been detained in the country since the Talibani took control and Two Americans were released in replacement of prisoners in January.
Safiullah Padshah Contributing to reporting
