Peter and Barbie Reynolds, held in Afghanistan since February, face alarming conditions and are reportedly without formal charges as their family urges government action for their release.
Peter Reynolds, 79, and his wife Barbie, 75, are currently detained in Afghanistan following their arrest while travelling to their home in Bamyan province in February. The couple, along with American friend Faye Hall, who had rented a plane for the trip, and a translator associated with their Rebuild training business, were apprehended under circumstances that have not yet been fully clarified.
Their daughter, Susie Romer, has publicly stated that her parents have been subjected to significant stress during their detention, undergoing approximately 29 interrogations. Speaking to Channel 5’s 5 News, Ms Romer expressed her frustration regarding their situation, stating, “They’ve been through so many investigations,” mentioning that the allegations against them have been described as unsubstantiated. “So they’ve been told that there is not actually a charge against them.”
Romer expressed concern about the UK government’s efforts in securing their release, stating, “We do want the Government to make it clear to the Taliban that my parents should be immediately released.” Despite a meeting with Foreign Office minister Hamish Falconer, who classified the case as a “priority,” she voiced doubts that the message had effectively reached the Taliban. “It’s been 10 weeks now, and we’ve not been reassured that this message has been conveyed, but this is really urgent,” she added.
Describing the conditions of their imprisonment as “absolutely horrific,” Ms Romer highlighted alarming details including limited food supply, with reports of only one meal provided daily, and unhygienic conditions featuring mice and cockroaches. The emotional toll of their situation is also evident, as she recounted hearing “her parents weep” on the phone, a moment she described as “excruciating.”
In discussions about their health, Ms Romer revealed that while her father had received necessary medication, her mother is facing more pressing health issues. “We’ve recently heard mum is anaemic and really weak and frail,” she stated, articulating her fears for both their well-being.
The couple’s son, Jonathan Reynolds, has also been vocal about the situation, mentioning his communications with the US government following a video plea directed at President Donald Trump for assistance. The Reynolds’ connection to Afghanistan dates back to their marriage in Kabul in 1970, and they have dedicated the last 18 years to running training programmes aimed at education.
Following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, strict measures such as bans on women working and barring education for girls over 12 years old were enacted. In a statement to The Associated Press, a Taliban spokesperson indicated that the situation surrounding the Reynolds couple “will soon be resolved” and insisted it should not be a cause for concern.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has confirmed its support for the family of the detained British nationals, indicating ongoing diplomatic efforts are in motion to address the situation.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/american-children-of-british-couple-in-taliban-captivity-appeal-directly-to-trump/ – This article corroborates the detention of Peter and Barbie Reynolds in Afghanistan, their imprisonment conditions, and their family’s efforts to secure their release. It also details the release of their American friend Faye Hall.
- https://www.euronews.com/2025/04/11/british-couple-detained-in-afghanistan-to-face-taliban-court-verdict – This source confirms the detention and upcoming trial of Peter and Barbie Reynolds, noting that Taliban authorities have described the issue as ‘a small matter’ and that the case will be resolved under Islamic law.
- https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/peter-barbie-reynolds-taliban-afghanistan-b2730166.html – This article provides more details about the situation of the Reynolds couple, including their history in Afghanistan, their detention, and the family’s appeals for assistance. It also mentions the release of Faye Hall and current diplomatic efforts.
- https://noahwire.com cannot be validated, but there is no relevant alternative for this specific point – This source is mentioned but cannot be used directly. However, it contributes to the overall narrative about the Reynolds family’s situation.
- https://www.vacourts.gov/courts/scv/rulesofcourt.pdf – This document is unrelated to the specific case of the Reynolds but discusses legal proceedings broadly, which can be of interest in understanding legal frameworks.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
5
Notes:
The mention of Peter Reynolds and Barbie Reynolds being detained is current, but their ages and the context suggest this information could be outdated if circumstances have changed since their arrest in February. No indications of recycled news were found.
Quotes check
Score:
3
Notes:
Quotes from Susie Romer appear to be original, as there are no previous references found in online searches. The absence of earlier sources suggests these may be first-time usages.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from a news outlet with an established reputation, although specific assessments of credibility vary depending on regional recognizability.
Plausability check
Score:
7
Notes:
The claims regarding the couple’s detention and conditions seem plausible given the current political climate in Afghanistan post-Taliban takeover. However, there is a lack of corroborative evidence to fully confirm the details.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
While the narrative includes timely information about the Reynolds couple’s situation, certain elements such as the reliability of the source and the verification of quotes are less certain. Ongoing developments could affect the conditions referenced.
