Beautiful Virgin Islands

Wednesday, Jul 30, 2025

British Couple Arrested by Taliban in Afghanistan Over Educational Programs

British Couple Arrested by Taliban in Afghanistan Over Educational Programs

Peter and Barbie Reynolds face detention as their educational initiatives for women come under scrutiny in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.
Peter Reynolds, 79, and his wife Barbie, 75, have been arrested by Taliban authorities in Afghanistan, where they have lived and operated educational programs for nearly two decades.

The couple was apprehended on February 1, 2025, at their home in Nayak, Bamiyan province, following a police raid that involved questioning employees of their organization, Rebuild.

Rebuild has aimed to enhance educational access for both men and women, including programs specifically designed for mothers, such as parenting skills courses.

The Taliban's government, which regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021, has largely restricted women's access to education, affecting over 1.4 million teenage girls who are banned from attending school.

Despite the restrictive environment, the Reynolds had continued their work, reportedly overseeing programs that aligned with some of the Taliban's announced educational policies.

According to the couple’s four adult children, Peter and Barbie were married in Kabul in 1970 and chose to remain in Afghanistan even amidst the turmoil following the Taliban's return to power.

After their arrest, communications from the Reynolds to their children ceased after three days, raising concerns for their well-being.

Their daughter, Sarah Entwistle, expressed alarm over their detention, emphasizing her father's health needs, particularly after a previous mini-stroke, and describing the situation as 'outrageous' given their commitment to supporting the Afghan people.

The couple's children issued an open letter to Taliban officials calling for their parents' release, expressing confusion over the reasons for their detention while affirming the positive intentions behind their educational programs.

They highlighted that their parents were trying to prepare young people for future opportunities in Afghanistan and had previously received commendations from Taliban leaders, including an honor bestowed upon Barbie, acknowledging their contributions.

The family has reached out to the UK Foreign Office; however, they face challenges due to the UK’s non-recognition of the Taliban government and the absence of a British embassy in Kabul, hindering diplomatic efforts for assistance.

The case of the Reynolds underscores the complex and often perilous situation facing foreign nationals involved in humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan under the current regime.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Procter & Gamble to Raise U.S. Prices to Offset One‑Billion‑Dollar Tariff Cost
House Republicans Move to Defund OECD Over Global Tax Dispute
Botswana Seeks Controlling Stake in De Beers as Anglo American Prepares Exit
Trump Administration Proposes Repeal of Obama‑Era Endangerment Finding, Dismantling Regulatory Basis for CO₂ Emissions Limits
France Opens Criminal Investigation into X Over Algorithm Manipulation Allegations
A family has been arrested in the UK for displaying the British flag
Mel Gibson refuses to work with Robert De Niro, saying, "Keep that woke clown away from me."
Trump Steamrolls EU in Landmark Trade Win: US–EU Trade Deal Imposes 15% Tariff on European Imports
ChatGPT CEO Sam Altman says people share personal info with ChatGPT but don’t know chats can be used as court evidence in legal cases.
The British propaganda channel BBC News lies again.
Deputy attorney general's second day of meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell has concluded
Controversial March in Switzerland Features Men Dressed in Nazi Uniforms
Politics is a good business: Barack Obama’s Reported Net Worth Growth, 1990–2025
Thai Civilian Death Toll Rises to 12 in Cambodian Cross-Border Attacks
TSUNAMI: Trump Just Crossed the Rubicon—And There’s No Turning Back
Over 120 Criminal Cases Dismissed in Boston Amid Public Defender Shortage
UN's Top Court Declares Environmental Protection a Legal Obligation Under International Law
"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking
The Podcaster Who Accidentally Revealed He Earns Over $10 Million a Year
Trump Announces $550 Billion Japanese Investment and New Trade Agreements with Indonesia and the Philippines
US Treasury Secretary Calls for Institutional Review of Federal Reserve Amid AI‑Driven Growth Expectations
UK Government Considers Dropping Demand for Apple Encryption Backdoor
Severe Flooding in South Korea Claims Lives Amid Ongoing Rescue Operations
Japanese Man Discovers Family Connection Through DNA Testing After Decades of Separation
Russia Signals Openness to Ukraine Peace Talks Amid Escalating Drone Warfare
Switzerland Implements Ban on Mammography Screening
Japanese Prime Minister Vows to Stay After Coalition Loses Upper House Majority
Pogacar Extends Dominance with Stage Fifteen Triumph at Tour de France
CEO Resigns Amid Controversy Over Relationship with HR Executive
Man Dies After Being Pulled Into MRI Machine Due to Metal Chain in New York Clinic
NVIDIA Achieves $4 Trillion Valuation Amid AI Demand
US Revokes Visas of Brazilian Corrupted Judges Amid Fake Bolsonaro Investigation
U.S. Congress Approves Rescissions Act Cutting Federal Funding for NPR and PBS
North Korea Restricts Foreign Tourist Access to New Seaside Resort
Brazil's Supreme Court Imposes Radical Restrictions on Former President Bolsonaro
Centrist Criticism of von der Leyen Resurfaces as she Survives EU Confidence Vote
Judge Criticizes DOJ Over Secrecy in Dropping Charges Against Gang Leader
Apple Closes $16.5 Billion Tax Dispute With Ireland
Von der Leyen Faces Setback Over €2 Trillion EU Budget Proposal
UK and Germany Collaborate on Global Military Equipment Sales
Trump Plans Over 10% Tariffs on African and Caribbean Nations
Flying Taxi CEO Reclaims Billionaire Status After Stock Surge
Epstein Files Deepen Republican Party Divide
Zuckerberg Faces $8 Billion Privacy Lawsuit From Meta Shareholders
FIFA Pressured to Rethink World Cup Calendar Due to Climate Change
SpaceX Nears $400 Billion Valuation With New Share Sale
Microsoft, US Lab to Use AI for Faster Nuclear Plant Licensing
Trump Walks Back Talk of Firing Fed Chair Jerome Powell
Zelensky Reshuffles Cabinet to Win Support at Home and in Washington
"Can You Hit Moscow?" Trump Asked Zelensky To Make Putin "Feel The Pain"
×