A British couple, who were detained in Afghanistan for close to eight months, have safely returned to the United Kingdom following their release. Peter Reynolds, 80, and his wife Barbie, 76, who had been living in Afghanistan for nearly two decades, arrived at Heathrow Airport after travelling from Doha.
They were reunited with their daughter in Qatar on Friday. Their son, Jonathan Reynolds, shared his overwhelming joy and gratitude with BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, thanking everyone involved in their release. The Taliban, who took the couple into custody on February 1st, stated that the pair had violated Afghan laws and were released after judicial processes. However, the exact reasons for their detention were not officially disclosed by the group.
Having lived in Afghanistan since 1970, Peter and Barbie Reynolds were running a charitable training program, which had received approval from local Taliban officials even after the group regained control in 2021. The couple’s daughter, Sarah Entwistle, described the emotional reunion at Doha airport as her parents disembarked from their flight.
Barbie expressed a desire to return to Afghanistan, stating, “We are Afghan citizens.” Jonathan echoed this sentiment, hoping they could continue their work there. He mentioned that their programs had a positive impact and were very fruitful.
The couple’s detention followed their dedicated work since 2009, running training projects in Kabul and Bamiyan, including one focused on educating women and children, which had been approved by local authorities despite the Taliban’s restrictions on women’s education and employment.
The Reynolds’ family had been actively campaigning for their release, highlighting the difficult conditions they endured during their detention. Jonathan reported that his father had experienced severe convulsions, while his mother suffered from anaemia and malnutrition.
The UK government has acknowledged the crucial role played by Qatar in facilitating the couple’s release. A Qatari official confirmed that the couple were moved to a facility with better conditions during the latter stages of negotiations.
Following medical evaluations in Doha, the couple departed for London. Taliban officials, however, maintained that the couple received adequate medical care and that their human rights were respected throughout their detention.
The UK does not formally recognize the Taliban government and had closed its embassy in Kabul upon the group’s return to power, leading to limited consular support for British nationals in Afghanistan.