An American woman detained by the Taliban alongside a British couple has warned that they are 'literally dying' in prison and that 'time is running out'.
Faye Hall was arrested with Peter, 80, and Barbie Reynolds, 76, on February 1 while returning to Bamiyan Province, Afghanistan, where the couple had lived for nearly two decades. Although Hall was released after two months, the Reynolds remain imprisoned without understanding the reasons for their detention. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has communicated that they are supporting the family of the couple.
During her first interview since being released, Hall expressed her deep concern for the couple. I love them; I know they will be out very soon. Don't ever give up, she said, breaking down in tears. The Reynolds, married in Kabul in 1970, were operating a charity program for over 18 years, approved by the Taliban following their return to power in 2021. Hall disclosed that they had flown from Kabul to Bamiyan in a chartered plane when they were stopped at a checkpoint. They were then moved between police stations and prisons for days.
She described the harsh conditions of their detention, which included cramped cells in a maximum-security facility that held prisoners accused of serious crimes.
Ms. Hall warned that the health of both individuals had rapidly deteriorated. Barbie had lost significant weight, struggling to stand, while Peter's health issues were exacerbated despite receiving medication from the Qatari government, following his heart surgery and cancer treatments. They are literally dying, and time is running out, she emphasized, highlighting the mental strain they are enduring.
The couple's son previously expressed fears that his parents may not survive their time in prison, pointing out serious health concerns. The United Nations had previously warned in July that the couple could perish in their current conditions if urgent medical care was not provided, labeling their treatment as 'inhumane'.
Ms. Hall called on both the U.S. and UK governments to intensify efforts for the pair’s release. The FCDO confirmed they are assisting the family and mentioned that the UK’s embassy in Kabul had been shut down, limiting support available to British nationals in the region. Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department criticized the Taliban for their pattern of unjust detentions, demanding the immediate release of those held without justification.
The Taliban's foreign minister acknowledged in July that the couple had communication with their families and that efforts were underway for their release, although these efforts have yet to yield results. He asserted that their human rights were being respected and that they had access to necessary medical treatment.
Faye Hall was arrested with Peter, 80, and Barbie Reynolds, 76, on February 1 while returning to Bamiyan Province, Afghanistan, where the couple had lived for nearly two decades. Although Hall was released after two months, the Reynolds remain imprisoned without understanding the reasons for their detention. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has communicated that they are supporting the family of the couple.
During her first interview since being released, Hall expressed her deep concern for the couple. I love them; I know they will be out very soon. Don't ever give up, she said, breaking down in tears. The Reynolds, married in Kabul in 1970, were operating a charity program for over 18 years, approved by the Taliban following their return to power in 2021. Hall disclosed that they had flown from Kabul to Bamiyan in a chartered plane when they were stopped at a checkpoint. They were then moved between police stations and prisons for days.
She described the harsh conditions of their detention, which included cramped cells in a maximum-security facility that held prisoners accused of serious crimes.
Ms. Hall warned that the health of both individuals had rapidly deteriorated. Barbie had lost significant weight, struggling to stand, while Peter's health issues were exacerbated despite receiving medication from the Qatari government, following his heart surgery and cancer treatments. They are literally dying, and time is running out, she emphasized, highlighting the mental strain they are enduring.
The couple's son previously expressed fears that his parents may not survive their time in prison, pointing out serious health concerns. The United Nations had previously warned in July that the couple could perish in their current conditions if urgent medical care was not provided, labeling their treatment as 'inhumane'.
Ms. Hall called on both the U.S. and UK governments to intensify efforts for the pair’s release. The FCDO confirmed they are assisting the family and mentioned that the UK’s embassy in Kabul had been shut down, limiting support available to British nationals in the region. Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department criticized the Taliban for their pattern of unjust detentions, demanding the immediate release of those held without justification.
The Taliban's foreign minister acknowledged in July that the couple had communication with their families and that efforts were underway for their release, although these efforts have yet to yield results. He asserted that their human rights were being respected and that they had access to necessary medical treatment.
