A British couple released by the Taliban in Afghanistan last week say they were detained in 10 different prisons and at one point thought they would be executed.
Peter, 80, and wife Barbie Reynolds, 76, said it was never explained to them why they were being held, nor why they were released.
The couple, who have run a charity programme in Afghanistan for almost two decades, arrived back in the UK on Saturday after seven and a half months in detention.
Good, old-fashioned diplomacy ended their ordeal, Hamish Falconer, minister for the Middle East, told the BBC, and again thanked the government of Qatar, which helped mediate their release.
Both suffered health problems while in prison, including severe anaemia, though Taliban officials claimed they received adequate medical care and that their human rights were respected.
They were arrested on 1 February this year after taking a chartered flight from Kabul to Bamiyan province, along with friend Faye Hall and their translator who were later released. A spokesperson for the Taliban foreign ministry, speaking after their release, said they had served their time but did not reveal the reasons for their detention.
Peter Reynolds expressed his personal struggle during his detention, stating, When I was taken to court, I had my ankles and hands cuffed together with murderers and rapists. He also noted the emotional toll of being separated from his wife, Barbie, who described the witnessing of her husband struggling while being led away as deeply distressing.
Back in the UK, they shared their cravings for simple foods like salad and baked beans after months of bland prison meals. They also stated that they won't be returning to Afghanistan for now, prioritizing the well-being of the Afghans they have come to love.
The UK warns against travel to Afghanistan due to heightened risks of detention and dangerous conditions overall.
