Fears for well being of British couple held by Taliban as ‘trial delayed’ | EUROtoday

The household of a British couple, of their 70s, final seen chained to a gaggle of Taliban prisoners say they worry for his or her well being after their trial is delayed.

Peter Reynolds, 79, and his spouse Barbie, 75, had been arrested as they travelled to their residence in Bamyan province, in central Afghanistan, in February.

On Saturday the couple had been introduced in chains to listen to their costs earlier than their trial was cancelled “at the last minute” when their choose was modified.

Supporters describe the situations in a Kabul maximum-security jail they’re being held in as “brutal” and likened to “what I imagine hell is like.”

The couple, who married in Afghanistan in 1970, are hoping to get a “fair” courtroom look early subsequent week.

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Their daughter, Sarah Entwistle, stated that they had been refrained from one another by their jail guards.

“Mum’s health is rapidly deteriorating, and she is collapsing due to malnutrition. She and the other women are provided only one meal a day, while the men receive three,” Ms Entwistle instructed The Guardian.

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“Dad’s health is also still declining, and he’s experiencing tremors in his head and left arm.”

Their daughter added the couple “spent four hours sitting on the floor, chained to other prisoners, before being returned to the prison.

“At the last minute, they were informed that they would not be seen by the judge. The guards indicated that a different judge would now be handling the case, and we continue to hope they will receive a fair hearing in the coming week.”

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Mrs Reynolds wanted assist to climb the 4 staircases required to take a seat in entrance of the choose, she added.

“There are still no charges against them, and no evidence of any crime has been submitted. We are, of course, devastated by this delay. It makes little sense, especially given that the Taliban have repeatedly stated that this situation is due to misunderstandings, and that they will be released ‘soon’.”

It got here after they had been taken to courtroom in chains on Thursday the place Mrs Reynolds “looked frail and found it hard to stand”.

They had been all cuffed by their fingers and ft and while they may lastly see one another they weren’t allowed to speak.

Supporters stated their interrogator strongly attacked them in courtroom, however has since “proved to be an honourable man”, who reported that there was “no evidence of any crime committed”. This prompted hopes they may very well be rapidly launched.

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The couple have lived in Afghanistan for over 18 years, and have become Afghan residents, calling the nation “home”. When the Taliban took over in 2021 they refused to depart, saying they “couldn’t leave the country and the people they love, in their darkest hour”.

The couple was arrested final month together with an American buddy, Faye Hall, who had rented a airplane to journey with them, their organisation Rebuild’s workers stated. An Afghan translator, Juya, working with them was additionally arrested.

They had been moved to a most safety jail after being separated. Mr Reynolds is in immense ache after he was overwhelmed and shackled by the Taliban, in line with his household.

“His health has significantly deteriorated. We hear he now has a chest infection; a double eye infection, and serious digestive issues due to poor nutrition. Without immediate access to necessary medication, his life is in serious danger,” his daughter stated.

“Again, we ask the Taliban to release Dad, Mum, Faye, and the interpreter as a gesture of goodwill during this season of Ramadan,” their daughter stated in an earlier attraction to the Taliban.