A British couple in their late 70s have been held in a notorious Afghan prison for over two months, with one of them describing it as “the nearest thing to hell.”
Peter Reynolds, 79, and his wife Barbie, 76, were arrested by the Taliban on February 1 and are currently being held in Pul-e-Charkhi, a maximum-security prison in Kabul, Afghanistan. Their detention has raised serious concerns about their health, safety, and the lack of official charges against them.
Horrific Conditions Inside the Prison
In an emotional message shared with The Sunday Times, Peter described the appalling conditions he faces daily. Speaking through a payphone inside the prison, he detailed being handcuffed and shackled to violent criminals, including a man who murdered his own family.
“The atmosphere is pretty shocking,” he said. “The guards shout constantly and beat people with a metal pipe.”
Peter explained that he is given only one meal a day—usually naan bread and chickpeas—with green tea for breakfast, leading to noticeable weight loss.
He compared his tiny cell to “a cage rather than a cell”, although he noted his conditions were better than those in the women’s section, where his wife Barbie is being held.
Barbie Held Separately, Couple Denied Contact
Since their arrest, Peter and Barbie have not been allowed to see each other, despite repeated daily requests. The couple’s interpreter Jaya and a visiting Chinese-American friend, Faye Hall, were also detained alongside them. Hall was later released on March 27 after a court order.
Peter reacted with deep sorrow upon hearing that Barbie is now alone.
“Oh no, so Mum’s on her own. Oh my, oh my goodness, and they won’t let me see her, that’s terrible news,” he said.
No Charges or Explanation
More than nine weeks after their arrest, the British couple still have not been charged, and no official explanation has been given. Initial reports suggested their detention might be linked to teaching parenting skills, but the Taliban later claimed it was a “misunderstanding” and said they aimed to release the couple “as soon as possible.”
Despite this, no progress has been made, and Peter remains firm in his belief that no ransom should be paid.
“If money is paid, there is nothing to stop them arresting people again,” he said. “This government needs to face up to the fact it has done wrong.”
Decades of Dedication to Afghanistan
Peter and Barbie Reynolds are not newcomers to Afghanistan. Unlike many foreign nationals, the couple chose to stay in the country after the Taliban regained power in 2021. They have run five schools, including a mother-and-child training center, which was reportedly approved by the Taliban.
In fact, Barbie was once honored by the regime, becoming the first woman to receive a certificate of appreciation from the Taliban.
Their arrest has shocked many who believed their work was welcomed and respected in local communities.