Elderly British charity workers Barbie and Peter Reynolds have been released by the Taliban after eight months in captivity, expressing their desire to return to Afghanistan despite their ordeal.
Barbie Reynolds, 76, and her husband Peter Reynolds, 80, have been freed by the Taliban after spending eight months in captivity. The couple arrived in Qatar on Friday following extensive negotiations involving Qatar, the Taliban, and the British government.
Having lived in Afghanistan for 18 years, the Reynolds operated an education charity in the country. Despite the challenges they faced during their detention, Barbie expressed a willingness to return to Afghanistan, stating, “God is good, as they say in Afghanistan,” upon their arrival at the Kabul airport.
The couple was taken into custody in February and was greeted by family members, including their daughter, Sarah Entwistle, upon their arrival in Doha. An emotional Entwistle thanked those involved in their release, saying, “Thank you for giving us our family back.” She also expressed gratitude to the Qatari and British governments for their support during this difficult time, emphasizing the importance of diplomacy and international cooperation.
Jonathan Reynolds, their son, spoke to Sky News from the United States, noting that their health could have deteriorated further had they remained in captivity. He highlighted that Qatar had ensured they had access to medical care and their doctor during their time in detention. United Nations health experts had previously warned that the couple’s prolonged captivity could pose serious health risks.
The Reynolds family had accused the Taliban of mistreating the couple and had called on the government to clarify the reasons for their detention. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz al-Khulaifi, Qatar’s minister of state, expressed gratitude for the “fruitful cooperation” between the U.K. and the Taliban that led to the couple’s release.
The Taliban claimed that the couple had violated Afghan laws but did not provide specific details regarding the allegations. Richard Lindsay, Britain’s special envoy to Afghanistan, expressed relief at their release, describing it as a significant humanitarian achievement and stating that it was ultimately up to Afghan authorities to clarify the circumstances of their detention.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also acknowledged the role of Qatar in securing the couple’s freedom, praising the efforts of the emir, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani.
The situation surrounding the Reynolds’ detention highlights the complexities of international relations in Afghanistan, particularly following the U.S. withdrawal in 2021, which allowed the Taliban to regain control of the country.
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