Reunited with daughter after prolonged captivity by the Taliban: British elderly pair
British Couple Reunited with Family After Eight-Month Detention in Afghanistan
The elderly British couple, Barbie Reynolds and Peter Reynolds, were safely released from detention in Afghanistan and flown to Doha on Friday. The Qatari government acted as a mediator in negotiations with the Taliban, facilitating the release of the Reynolds before their transfer to the British special envoy and subsequent departure from Afghanistan.
The Reynolds, who have lived in Afghanistan for 18 years and run an organization called Rebuild, were detained by the Taliban's interior ministry on 1 February 2022. They were held without charge in a maximum security prison in Kabul from March.
Upon their arrival in Doha, they were reunited with their daughter, Sarah Reynolds. Barbie Reynolds appeared calm and composed as she made her way to the plane, while Peter Reynolds declined to discuss the conditions he faced during detention.
The couple appeared relieved and grateful, despite their eight-month detention. Jonathan Reynolds, their son, expressed his gratitude to the British and Qatari diplomats involved in his parents' release. Hamish Falconer, minister for the Middle East, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, stated that the UK had worked intensively on the case and was grateful for Qatar Airways' role.
The Taliban officials maintained that the couple received adequate medical care in prison and their human rights were respected. Abdul Qahar Balkhi, a spokesperson at the Taliban government's foreign ministry, said the couple "violated Afghan law" and were released from prison after a court hearing.
Richard Lindsay, the UK's special envoy to Afghanistan, stated it remains unclear on what grounds the couple had been detained. Jonathan Reynolds also stated that the grounds for his parents' detention remained a mystery as they were given no explanation for their arrest.
Qatar Airways, an energy-rich nation on the Arabian Peninsula, played a significant role in the release of the Reynolds. Qatari officials ensured the Reynolds were kept in comfortable conditions during talks. The British government praised Qatar Airways' important mediation role in this conflict resolution.
This news brings joy and relief to the Reynolds family and friends, who have been advocating for their release since their detention. The Reynolds will now have the opportunity to return to their life and work in Afghanistan, continuing their efforts to rebuild the country.
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