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PA mediaThe son of a British couple, detained by the Taliban five months ago, told the BBC that he was afraid he could die in prison.
Peter Reynolds, 80 years and 76 -year -old Barbie, were arrested on February 1st as they returned to their home in Central Bamian, Afghanistan.
Their son Jonathan Reynolds said their health was getting worse, with his father suffering serious convulsions and his mother “tingling” of anemia and malnutrition.
The UN also warned that they could die “in such humiliating conditions” if they did not receive medical attention at one time, calling their detention “inhuman”.
In February, an employee of the Taliban told the BBC that the group plans to release the couple “as soon as possible”.
D -n Reynolds said it was “painful and surreal” five months in anticipation of the release of his parents who Lived in Afghanistan for 18 years and manages educational projects.
He said they were held in harsh conditions – including a prison for maximum security – although they were “considered innocent” by a judge and faced any charges.
“My father was nailed for murderers and criminals,” he told the BBC Radio 4 program today, adding that they were kept in a basement at one point for six weeks without sunlight and not allowed.
The couple revealed “How bad their health” was when they last had contact with their children on June 15, said G -N Reynolds.
“My father’s health is getting worse in particular,” he told the 80-year-old, who has a history of mild heart attacks.
“Now he may have something like the early Parkinson’s – trembling and shakes on the right side of his body, hands and face,” he told BBC Breakfast.
He added that his father had spent “half an hour convulsion on the prison floor” before his wife called prison to move him to a “floor mattress” serving as a bed.
G -ja Reynolds “has blue hands and feet associated with anemia, malnutrition, just doesn’t get the right healthcare,” he added.
Reynolds said that he did not know his parents’ exact location – and that he was not sure “the request was made for their immediate release.”
“Every week, we seem to be called,” just wait two or three more days … just hang yourself tight. “
“We are told week after week – and are still in prison.”
However, he said he was grateful to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FCDO) for the level of communication with the family.
The couple had birthdays in prison, and last week marked their 55th wedding anniversary.
Reynolds said, “I am grateful that they were together, but they are certainly not free.”
The UN also warned on Monday that the couple’s health was rapidly diminishing and questioned why they were kept at all.
“Without access to adequate medical assistance, they are at risk of irreparable harm or even death,” read a statement from the UN Human Rights Authority, which called for an immediate transfer to a civil hospital.
“We do not see a reason why this older couple must be detained at all and demanded an immediate review of the grounds for their detention.
“It is inhuman to keep them locked in such humiliating conditions and more worrying when their health is so fragile.”
He added that he had raised the couple’s case with the Taliban and the UK.
G -n and d -Ja Reynolds married in Kabul in 1970 and later became Afghan citizens.
They managed training projects in Afghanistan, including one that included training mothers and children.
Their work was obviously approved by local authorities, despite the Taliban, who banned education for girls over 12 years and do not allow women to work.
Taliban employee Abdul Matein Kani said in February: “A series of considerations are taken into account and after evaluation we will strive to release them as soon as possible.”
FCDO has turned for an answer.
The United Kingdom closed its embassy in Kabul and withdrew its diplomats from the country after the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
Therefore, FCDO says support for British citizens in Afghanistan is “very limited” and advises all trips to the country.
