A British couple in their 70s, Peter Reynolds, 79, and his wife Barbie, 75, who have been running education projects in Afghanistan for 18 years, have been imprisoned by the Taliban. They are scheduled to appear in court in Kabul on Thursday, but neither they nor their family has been informed of the charges against them.

The couple, who run a training business in Afghanistan, were detained last month when they returned to their home in Bamiyan province. Barbie managed to call her family from Pul-e-Charki prison in Kabul to inform them of the court date, amid concerns about her husband’s health.

The reason for the court hearing remains unknown, and the couple fears they may not get a fair trial because their interpreter, Juya, who was also arrested, will not be allowed to translate during the proceedings. Juya has also been caring for Peter, who requires heart medication, and the couple’s daughter worries that her father’s health could be in danger due to the lack of proper medication.

The couple has been separated and denied access to each other for the last 10 days. They were initially arrested on February 1 with Juya and a American-Chinese friend, Faye Hall, who had rented a plane to travel with them. An employee for the couple’s training company was informed that their flight “did not coordinate with the local government.”

The family has asked the Taliban to release the couple, Kulja, and Juya as a gesture of goodwill during the season of Ramadan.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/19/peter-barbie-reynolds-held-in-afghanistan-due-in-court-on-unknown-charges-family-say