A British couple in their seventies, known for their long-standing humanitarian work in Afghanistan, has been detained by the Taliban in Bamiyan province.

Peter Reynolds, 79, and his wife Barbie, 75, were taken into custody on February 1 while returning to their home in Bamiyan, where they have been running training projects for nearly two decades.

Their daughter, Sarah Entwistle, told the BBC that she had not heard from her parents in over two weeks, raising concerns about their safety and well-being.

Although the exact charges against the couple remain unclear, their work involved training mothers and children, a programme reportedly approved by local authorities despite the Taliban’s restrictions on women’s employment and girls’ education beyond the age of 12.

Decades of service

The couple, who first met at the University of Bath, have had a deep connection with Afghanistan since they married in Kabul in 1970. They launched training initiatives in five schools in Kabul and later expanded their efforts to Bamiyan.

Even after the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, prompting most Westerners to leave the country, Mr and Mrs Reynolds insisted on staying, saying they could not abandon the Afghan people in their "hour of need."

Their daughter Sarah Entwistle, who lives in Daventry, Northamptonshire, urged the Taliban to release her parents so they could "go back to their home and continue their work."

Deteriorating health condition

The couple were initially able to send text messages to their four children after their arrest, confirming they were being held by the Taliban's interior ministry and were "fine." However, all communication ceased three days later, and no further updates have been received since.

Ms Entwistle expressed deep concern over her father’s health, as he had previously suffered a mini-stroke and required heart medication, which he has reportedly been denied access to.

"We are devastated. My mother is 75, my father almost 80, and they were just trying to help the country they loved," she told The Sunday Times.

"They were meticulous about following the rules, even as they kept changing," she added.

The couple were arrested alongside their American friend, Faye Hall, and a translator associated with their organisation, according to the PA news agency.

An employee close to the detained group described them as “the most honourable people I have ever met”, adding that Mr Reynolds’ condition was worsening due to lack of access to his medicine.

Taliban’s justification

Taliban officials, while confirming the detention of British nationals, claimed the individuals were working for an NGO in Bamiyan province and had been arrested nearly 20 days ago.

An official told the BBC that they were detained for allegedly using a plane without informing Bamiyan police headquarters or border security forces.

The Taliban, which banned women from working with NGOs in 2022, has also cracked down on non-governmental organisations operating without approval.

Ms Entwistle and her siblings have written a letter to the Taliban, urging them to free their parents.

"We do not understand the reasons behind their arrest," they wrote. "They have placed their trust in you and as Afghan citizens, they believe they will be treated fairly."

The family also stated that their parents had no intention of being part of ransom negotiations or political exchanges, reaffirming their dedication to Afghanistan.

The UK Foreign Office has acknowledged the detention of two British nationals in Afghanistan but noted that its ability to assist is limited, as the UK does not recognise the Taliban government and has no diplomatic presence in Kabul.