LONDON: An American woman previously detained by the Taliban has appealed for the release of an elderly British couple who remain in prison in Afghanistan, warning they are “literally dying” behind bars.
Faye Hall, who was arrested alongside Peter Reynolds, 80, and his wife Barbie, 76, in February, told the BBC “time is running out” for the pair, whose health has rapidly deteriorated during more than seven months in custody.
Hall, who was released after two months, broke down in tears as she described the conditions the couple face in a maximum-security prison, where they are held among convicted murderers and under constant guard, the BBC reported.
“We just have these elderly people, they’re literally dying,” she said. “It’s not a healthy environment and we were the only foreigners there.”
Peter Reynolds has undergone heart surgery and cancer treatment in the past and requires daily medication, partly supplied by Qatar. His wife has lost a significant amount of weight, with Hall recalling one occasion when Barbie was unable to stand or walk.
