An elderly British couple, detained in Afghanistan by Taliban authorities for nearly eight months, returned to the UK on Saturday. They expressed fears they might “never be released”.
Peter Reynolds, 80, and his wife Barbie, 76, flew in from Doha, Qatar, where they underwent medical checks after their release on Friday.
Barbie Reynolds was all smiles as they exited Heathrow Airport in London, accompanied by their daughter and Britain’s special envoy to Afghanistan, Richard Lindsay.
Stay updated with the latest news by following KT on WhatsApp Channels.
Peter Reynolds shared with The Times that they had “started to think we wouldn’t be freed, or worse, held until execution”.
He expressed confusion about the situation but relief that the ordeal had ended.
Barbie described the most challenging part as “watching my 80-year-old husband struggle to climb into a police truck with chains on his hands and ankles”.
Their family expressed “immense joy” upon learning of their release, and emotional reunions followed when they arrived in Doha from Kabul, greeted by their daughter.
“This experience highlighted the importance of diplomacy, empathy, and international cooperation,” their four children noted in a joint statement on Friday.
“While recovery will take time, today brings immense joy and relief,” they added.
Qatar played a crucial role in securing the couple’s release amid growing health concerns.
The couple was detained in February while returning to their Bamiyan home in central Afghanistan.
Initially held in a maximum-security facility, they were later placed in underground cells without daylight before being moved to Kabul’s intelligence services, according to UN experts.
Having married in Kabul in 1970, the couple lived in Afghanistan for nearly two decades, running educational initiatives for women and children, and gained Afghan citizenship.
Despite the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, they stayed in Afghanistan, defying British embassy advice.
‘Afghan citizens’
The Taliban has not explained their detention.
Speaking at Kabul airport on Friday, Barbie Reynolds stated they were treated well.
“We hope to return to Afghanistan. We are Afghan citizens,” she said.
Their son, Jonathan, told the BBC his parents wish to return to the country they cherish.
“They have a deep connection and effective strategies for their impactful work,” he noted.
In July, UN human rights experts urged the Taliban to release the couple, warning of “irreparable harm or even death” due to their declining health.
Their family repeatedly appealed for their release, citing health concerns.
Taliban foreign ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi said Friday that the couple “violated Afghanistan’s laws” and were released following “judicial proceedings”.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the “long-awaited news” as a significant relief for the family.
The UK government advises against traveling to Afghanistan, citing “extremely limited” consular assistance.
Russia remains the only country to officially recognize the Taliban government, known for imposing strict Islamic laws and alleged rights violations.
Since the Taliban’s return in August 2021, dozens of foreign nationals have been detained.
