An elderly British couple who were held captive in Afghanistan by the Taliban for almost eight months have been released. Barbie Reynolds, 76, and her husband Peter, 80, who have been long-term residents of Afghanistan, were freed following intense public efforts by their family. The couple, who were on their way to their home in Bamyan Province in central Afghanistan when they were detained in February, have finally been released and are now on a flight out of the country.
The reason for their initial detainment remains unclear, but after mediation led by Qatar, they were released and are en route to Doha. Mrs. Reynolds expressed gratitude for their treatment while at Kabul Airport and mentioned their desire to see their children and potentially return to Afghanistan, where they consider themselves citizens.
A Qatari official revealed that the couple, who have lived in Afghanistan for almost twenty years, will undergo medical evaluations before heading to the UK. Their transfer from Kabul’s central prison to a larger facility marked the final phase of negotiations.
Barbie and Peter, who met at Bath University, chose to stay in Afghanistan despite the Taliban’s resurgence in 2021. Another individual detained with them, Faye Hall, was released by the Taliban after eight weeks. The couple, married in Kabul around five decades ago, are set to reunite with their family shortly.
In a plea made in July by their son Jonathan Reynolds, he highlighted his parents’ deteriorating health and urged for their immediate release. He revealed the harsh conditions they were facing in prison, including health issues like convulsions and malnutrition. Jonathan stressed the urgency of their situation and the rapid decline in their health.
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