Faye Hall, an American woman detained by the Taliban alongside a British couple, has reported that the couple is 'literally dying' in prison, with urgent pleas for their release resonating amid growing international concern.
The couple, Peter, 80, and Barbie Reynolds, 76, had lived in Afghanistan for 18 years and were arrested on February 1 as they returned to Bamiyan Province. While Hall was released after two months, the Reynolds remain imprisoned without clarity on their charges.
In her first interview post-release, Hall implored the authorities to act quickly, expressing her emotional distress over the couple's condition. 'I love them, I know they will be out very soon, don't ever give up,' she shared, underscoring the deep bond formed during their shared ordeal.
The Foreign Office confirmed its support for the couple's family, highlighting the limitations of assistance due to the closure of the UK embassy in Afghanistan following the Taliban's resurgence.
Hall described their plight during captivity, revealing harsh living conditions including overcrowded cells and treatment reserved for hardened criminals, emphasizing the mental and physical toll of their imprisonment. With reports of Barbie's significant weight loss and Peter's declining health despite receiving medication for past ailments, the urgency for their release has never been more critical.
Both UK and US officials have acknowledged the Reynolds' situation, with calls for the Taliban to cease their oppressive practices regarding foreign detainees. As global scrutiny on this case intensifies, Hall's courageous stance shines a light on the dire circumstances faced by the Reynolds, begging for their release before it's too late.
