Elderly British Couple's Lives at Risk After Months in Taliban Custody—UN and Family Sound Alarm

Peter and Barbie Reynolds, a British couple in their 70s and 80s, have been detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan for over five months without charge.

Their family and UN human rights experts warn that the couple's health is rapidly deteriorating and they could die in custody if not released soon. The Taliban deny mistreatment and claim the couple is receiving medical care, but efforts to secure their release remain incomplete.

The couple, who had lived in Afghanistan for years running educational programs, were arrested in February 2025. International pressure is mounting for their immediate release due to concerns over their age, health, and lack of due process.