The Talibans said the BBC that they would strive to release two British nationals who were arrested and held in Afghanistan as soon as possible. “
Peter Reynolds, 79, and his wife Barbie, 75, were arrested on February 1 as they returned to their house in Bamiyan Province in the country.
The US citizen and Afghanistan were also arrested with a couple, said a spokesman for the Ministry of the Interior.
Administration with external affairs in the UK announced on Monday to support their family.
In a statement, Taliban Officer Abdul Mateen Qani said: “A number of considerations are taken into account, and after the assessment we will strive to release them as soon as possible.”
All three foreign nationals had Afghan passports and national cards, he added.
The reason for the arrest of Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds was not confirmed.
The couple conducted training projects in Afghanistan for 18 years, including one that included mothers and children.
Their work was obviously approved by local authorities, despite the Taliban who banned education for girls over 12 years of age and do not allow women to work.
Talibani announced that women would be Forbidden to work for non -governmental organizations (Non -governmental organizations) 2022. Last December, he said that he would Close all non -governmental organizations employed by women.
The couple got married in Kabul in 1970. They remained in Afghanistan after the return of Taliban to power in August 2021, in which most Westerners left the country.
Their daughter Sarah Entwistle told the BBC They have not heard from their parents in more than two weeks.
The text was communicated after the couple were initially arrested, but the contact stopped after three days.
Mrs. Entwistle and her siblings wrote to the Taliban to pray for their parents’ release.
“We are aware that there were cases where the exchange were useful for your government and western states,” they wrote.
“However, our parents consistently expressed their commitment to Afghanistan, stating that they would rather sacrifice their lives than to become part of the redemption negotiations or to trade.”
On Monday, Ms. Entwistle said that they wanted to give the Taliban’s opportunity “to explain their reasons” because Mr. and Mr. Reynolds “always tried to honor the” group.
But she said I couldn’t wait anymore, saying the Times Radio: “Now we urgently invite the British consulate to do everything in their power to get us answers and to execute as much pressure as possible to Taliban for their release.”
The UK closed its embassy in Kabul and withdrew its diplomats from the country after the Taliban returned to power.
Foreign Minister says supporting British citizens in Afghanistan is therefore “seriously limited” and advises against all trips to the country.
Additional reporting mahfouz zubaide.
