Peter Reynolds, 80, and his wife Barbie, 76, who were detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan for nearly eight months, are set to return to the UK after being reunited with their daughter in Qatar. Their son, Jonathan Reynolds, expressed gratitude to those involved in their release, stating he was “overwhelmed” by the outcome. The couple was apprehended on February 1 while traveling home, with the Taliban claiming they violated Afghan laws; however, the specific reasons for their detention were never disclosed.
Emotional scenes unfolded as their daughter, Sarah Entwistle, welcomed them upon their arrival in Doha. Barbie Reynolds indicated a desire to return to Afghanistan, stating, “We are Afghan citizens,” which reflects the couple’s long-standing connection to the country, having lived there for nearly two decades. Jonathan Reynolds noted their intention to continue their work in Afghanistan, despite the challenges presented by the current regime.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer acknowledged Qatar’s “vital role” in facilitating the couple’s release. Peter and Barbie were married in Kabul in 1970 and had been running a charitable training program with local Taliban approval since the group’s return to power in 2021. Jonathan mentioned he had shared encouraging news about their programs with his parents prior to their release.
The couple chose to remain in Bamiyan province after the Taliban regained control, unlike many other Western residents who left the country. Their release followed significant family lobbying, highlighting distressing conditions during their detention, including serious health issues experienced by Peter and Barbie. A Qatari official confirmed that the couple was moved to a better facility during negotiations. The Taliban asserts that they received adequate medical care while detained.
After medical checks in Doha, the couple will arrive in London on a commercial flight. The UK government does not recognize the Taliban and has limited support for British nationals in Afghanistan, advising against all travel to the region.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly6ve2dg66o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss