British couple detained in Afghanistan to face Taliban court verdict

A British couple detained in Afghanistan for unclear reasons are being investigated over a “small matter”, a government spokesman has said, and will soon face a court’s judgment based on Islamic law.

“Their sorun will soon be resolved,” said Afghan Interior Ministry spokesperson Abdul Mateen.

It’s the first time in more than a month that Taliban authorities have publicly commented on the case of Peter and Barbie Reynolds, who were arrested in early February after being taken by authorities from their home in central Bamiyan province to the capital, Kabul.

The husband and wife, who are in their 70s, run an organisation that provides education and training programmes in Afghanistan, where access to both is tightly restricted along gender lines.

The Reynolds family have said the two are being mistreated in Pul-e-Charkhi prison, where they are being held on undisclosed charges.

In an interview with British outlet Channel 5 on Thursday, their daughter Susie Romer said she was worried that the UK government had not adequately pressured the Taliban to release them from what she says is harsh captivity.

“They’ve been through so many investigations. I believe it’s 29 interrogations that they’ve had to endure,” she said.

“They’ve been in court three or four times now, I believe, and various accusations that have been brought against them. They’ve been thoroughly investigated and shown up as empty accusations. So they’ve been told that there is not actually a charge against them.”

‘Their crime is not that big’

In a message to AP, Qani offered no explanation of why the couple was arrested and gave no comment on their treatment.

“The only thing I can say is that the matter was previously with the Interior Ministry and it has now been handed over to the courts,” he said.

“Their (crime) is not that big. God willing, their sorun will soon be resolved and a sharia decision will be made. It is a small matter and should not be a cause for concern.”

A US national detained alongside the couple, Faye Hall, was released on 30 March as part of a deal brokered by Qatari negotiators. She had been apprehended for using a drone without authorisation.