A British couple who were detained for nearly eight months by the Taliban in Afghanistan have been released. Peter Reynolds, 80, and his wife Barbie, 76, were stopped on their way home on February 1 and have lived in Afghanistan for almost two decades. They were freed through mediation by Qatari officials and are now set to undergo medical checks in Qatar before returning to their long-term home in Afghanistan's Bamiyan province.
The Taliban has not provided any reasons for their detention over the months, despite the couple making several court appearances. Peter and Barbie, who married in Kabul in 1970, have dedicated their lives to running a charitable training program, which was approved even after the Taliban regained power in 2021. Their release comes after persistent lobbying from their family, who highlighted the couple's deteriorating health.
Their son, Jonathan Reynolds, revealed that his father experienced severe convulsions while his mother showed signs of severe malnutrition during their detention. Both children expressed deep concern for their parents’ well-being, emphasizing the urgent need for proper medical care. Just days before the couple’s release, an American woman detained alongside them warned about their critical health condition, which has drawn significant media attention.
The UK government does not recognize the Taliban-led administration and has warned against any travel to Afghanistan, citing limited support for British nationals in the region.
The Taliban has not provided any reasons for their detention over the months, despite the couple making several court appearances. Peter and Barbie, who married in Kabul in 1970, have dedicated their lives to running a charitable training program, which was approved even after the Taliban regained power in 2021. Their release comes after persistent lobbying from their family, who highlighted the couple's deteriorating health.
Their son, Jonathan Reynolds, revealed that his father experienced severe convulsions while his mother showed signs of severe malnutrition during their detention. Both children expressed deep concern for their parents’ well-being, emphasizing the urgent need for proper medical care. Just days before the couple’s release, an American woman detained alongside them warned about their critical health condition, which has drawn significant media attention.
The UK government does not recognize the Taliban-led administration and has warned against any travel to Afghanistan, citing limited support for British nationals in the region.
