British Couple Detained by Taliban: Efforts for Release Underway

The Taliban has made a public commitment to the BBC to facilitate the release of Peter Reynolds, 79, and his wife Barbie, 75, who have been held since February 1 in Afghanistan. The couple, along with an American and an Afghan national, were arrested while returning to their Bamiyan home. The couple had been active in the region, running educational initiatives for 18 years, despite facing challenges from the Taliban's strict regulations on women's education and employment.

In a statement from Taliban official Abdul Mateen Qani, he indicated that various considerations are being assessed to expedite the couple's release. The couple, who have backgrounds of dedication to their work in Afghanistan, had received local approval until recent crackdowns by the Taliban on NGOs employing women. Their daughter, Sarah Entwistle, shared her distress over the lack of communication with her parents, urging the British consulate to intensify efforts for their release. The UK Foreign Office has stated its support for the Reynolds family but cautioned that assistance is limited due to the embassy's closure following the Taliban's takeover.