British Couple Held by Taliban Endures Dire Prison Conditions

Peter and Barbie Reynolds, detained in February 2025, remain separated in Kabul's Pul-e-Charkhi prison as calls for UK intervention intensify.

Peter Reynolds, 79, describes his imprisonment as 'the nearest thing to hell,' citing violence, malnutrition, and harsh conditions in Pul-e-Charkhi prison.
Barbie Reynolds, 75, is held separately in the women's section and has reportedly begun teaching spoken English to other detainees despite her malnutrition.
The couple, detained over accusations related to books 'against Islam,' has denied any wrongdoing, with investigations finding no evidence of a crime.
Their detention is linked to internal power struggles within the Taliban, particularly involving the Haqqani network, underscoring the regime's instability.
The family is urging the UK government to secure their release, citing the recent liberation of an American detainee as a potential precedent for diplomatic action.