By Harry Mottram: Peter Reynolds, 79, and his wife Barbie, 75, met at the University of Bath in 1970 and for some years have worked in Afghanistan on a training programme for women and children. For months they have been held in prison by the Taliban authorities and have not had any charges brought against them. Now their son Jonathan Reynolds went on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme to give an update. He said their health was rapidly deteriorating, with his father suffering serious convulsions and his mother “numb” from anaemia and malnutrition.
They have been in the landlocked country since 2009 – and actually got wed in Kabul in the 1970s. On February 1, 2025, they were stopped by police on their way to their home in Bamiyan and arrested along with a friend and their translator and soon transferred to Kabul. Their family have had little contact with them although their son said the authorities said there were no charges against them and they would be free soon. Weeks have passed and with little news there is growing concerns for them – exacerbated by the fact the UK does not recognise the Taliban Government and has limited influence there.
There training project has been approved by the Taliban so it is a mystery as to why they continue to remain in jail. While the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021 saw most of their staff leave – along with most westerners – Mr and Mrs Reynolds insisted on staying put. Their son told Radio 4 that they were the most dedicated and kind hearted people and wanted to help in the war damaged country and ignored the dangers of staying on.
It was reported earlier this year they were arrested for not informing the authorities they were travelling by air in the country.
Bath Voice and Local Democracy Reporters
The journalists are funded by the BBC as part of its latest Charter commitment, but are employed by regional news organisations. A total of 165 reporters are allocated to news organisations in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland including Bath Voice. These organisations range from television and radio stations to online media companies and established regional newspaper groups. Local Democracy Reporters cover top-tier local authorities, second-tier local authorities and other public service organisations.
Bath Voice Monthly Newspaper is distributed free to thousands of homes and some supermarkets – distributed from the first of the month. Harry Mottram is the News Editor
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