**British Couple Detained by Taliban Set for Court Hearing in Kabul**
A British couple in their 70s, Peter Reynolds, 79, and his wife, Barbie, 75, are scheduled to appear in a Kabul court on Thursday after being detained by the Taliban last month. The couple, who have been running educational projects in Afghanistan for 18 years, were arrested while traveling to their home in Bamiyan province. Their family has reported that they have not been informed of the charges against them.
### Court Hearing Details
– **Who**: Peter and Barbie Reynolds
– **What**: Court appearance regarding their detention
– **When**: Thursday
– **Where**: Kabul, Afghanistan
– **Why**: Detained by the Taliban without clear charges
Barbie Reynolds managed to contact her family from Pul-e-Charki prison, indicating that they would learn the charges for the first time during the court hearing. She expressed concern over her husband’s health, which has been deteriorating since their arrest.
### Concerns Over Fair Trial
The couple’s daughter, Sarah Entwistle, voiced fears that her parents would not receive a fair trial. Their interpreter, Juya, who was arrested alongside them, is also set to appear in court but will not be allowed to translate during the proceedings. Entwistle stated, “Mum is obviously extremely concerned that without a competent interpreter, their case cannot be accurately or fairly represented.”
– Juya has been caring for Peter, who requires regular heart medication.
– Entwistle highlighted that her father’s health is at serious risk due to lack of access to necessary medication.
### Background of the Couple’s Work
Peter and Barbie Reynolds have been involved in educational projects in Afghanistan, including training for mothers and children in Bamiyan. Despite the Taliban’s ban on women working and on female education beyond primary school, their initiatives had reportedly received approval from local authorities.
### Call for Release
Entwistle has urged the Taliban to release her parents, Juya, and their American-Chinese friend, Faye Hall, as a gesture of goodwill during Ramadan. The couple was arrested on February 1, along with Hall, after their flight was deemed uncoordinated with local government regulations.
**Conclusion**: As the court date approaches, the family remains anxious about the couple’s well-being and the fairness of the legal proceedings. Will the Taliban grant them a fair trial?
### FAQs:
**Q: What charges are Peter and Barbie Reynolds facing?**
A: The couple has not been informed of the charges against them prior to their court appearance.
