An elderly British couple who were detained by the Taliban earlier this year have been released, Sky News understands.
Barbie and Peter Reynolds Detained
Barbie Reynolds, 76, and her husband Peter, 80, were detained by the Taliban’s interior ministry on 1 February while travelling to their home in Bamyan province, central Afghanistan.
Moved to Maximum Security Prison
In March, the couple were transferred to a maximum security prison in Kabul, where they were held without charge for several months.
Release and Evacuation to Doha
They were safely freed from detention on Friday and flown to Doha following mediation led by Qatar.
Sky Correspondent on the Ground
Sky Correspondent Cordelia Lynch was at Kabul Airport as the couple arrived and departed, capturing their first moments of freedom.
Couple Expresses Gratitude
Mr Reynolds told Lynch, “We are just very thankful.” His wife added, “We’ve been treated very well. We’re looking forward to seeing our children. We are looking forward to returning to Afghanistan if we can. We are Afghan citizens.”
Message to Family and Friends
Asked if they had a message for family and friends, Mrs Reynolds said: “My message is God is good, as they say in Afghanistan.”
UK Special Envoy Comments
Richard Lindsay, the UK’s special envoy to Afghanistan, said it remained unclear on what grounds the couple had been detained.
Relieved and Reunited
He added that the couple were “very relieved to be going home and delighted to be reunited with their family.”
Health Update
Asked about their health, Lindsay said: “I am not a doctor, but they are very happy.”
Travel Advisory Reminder
He also reminded the public of the UK government’s travel advice: “We advise British nationals not to travel to Afghanistan. That remains the case and will remain the case.”
Taliban Statement
Abdul Qahar Balkhi, a Taliban spokesperson, said the couple “violated Afghan law” and were released following a court hearing, but did not specify which law they had allegedly broken.
Qatar Mediates Release
Qatar, which previously mediated between the US and Taliban, played a key role in securing the Reynolds’ release.
Qatari Embassy Support
Mirdef Ali Al-Qashouti, acting charge d’affaires at the Qatar Embassy in Kabul, confirmed that officials ensured the couple were kept in “comfortable” conditions during negotiations.
Diplomatic Efforts Highlighted
He said the release was due to “continuous efforts by my government to keep our policy in helping release hostages and our mediation and diplomacy.”
Medical and Family Support
A Qatari official told Reuters that during the eight months of detention, the embassy provided access to doctors, delivered medication, and ensured regular communication with the couple’s family.
UK Government Praise
Hamish Falconer, minister for the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan, said: “The UK has worked intensively since their detention and has supported the family throughout. Qatar played an essential role in this case, for which I am hugely grateful.”
Couple’s Life in Afghanistan
The Reynolds have lived in Afghanistan for 18 years, running an organisation called Rebuild, which provides education and training programmes.
Married Since 1970
They have been together since the 1960s and married in Kabul in 1970, building a life dedicated to the local community.
Family Reunited
Their son, Jonathan, told Sky News that the couple had “never heard one accusation or one charge” and that they are now on their way home to be reunited with family.
