A British couple of their 70s who run schooling programmes in Afghanistan have been arrested by the Taliban, their kids say.
Peter Reynolds, 79, and his spouse Barbie, 75, had been detained earlier this month however the cause for his or her arrests is unknown.
Their 4 grownup kids have mentioned the couple had been married in Kabul in 1970 and have lived in Afghanistan for 18 years – remaining after the Taliban toppled the Western-backed authorities in 2021.
The couple runs Rebuild, an organisation that gives schooling and coaching programmes for companies, authorities companies, academic organisations and nongovernmental teams.
Pictures on Rebuild’s web site present each women and men participating in numerous programs, together with trainer coaching and administration programs.
For the reason that Taliban immediately returned to energy greater than three years in the past, it has severely restricted girls’s schooling and actions and is taken into account the worst place on earth to be a lady.
The couple, who’re additionally Afghan residents, allegedly texted their kids after their arrests saying they didn’t need Western authorities to get entangled.
Within the childrens’ letter to the Taliban, they mentioned: “We recognise that there have been instances where exchanges have been beneficial for your government and Western nations.
“Nonetheless, our dad and mom have persistently expressed their dedication to Afghanistan, stating that they might slightly sacrifice their lives than grow to be a part of ransom negotiations or be traded.
“We trust that this is not your intention, as we are instructed to respect their wishes to remain with you.”
The youngsters added: “They have chosen Afghanistan as their home, rather than with family in England, and they wish to spend the rest of their lives in Afghanistan.”
The Overseas Workplace declined to remark however it’s understood they’re conscious of the arrests. The UK doesn’t recognise the Taliban and has no embassy in Kabul.
