Peter and Barbie Reynolds, a British couple who had been running charity programs in Afghanistan for nearly 20 years, were released from Taliban detention after seven and a half months. They had feared execution, believing they would be moved between multiple prisons. Their release was described as the result of “old-fashioned diplomacy,” with gratitude expressed to the Qatari government for mediating.
While in detention, they faced health issues, including severe anemia, and were held in harsh conditions, including windowless cells, yet claimed to have received some medical care. Arrested on February 1 after arriving in Bamiyan Province, the couple had been detained without charges and were brought to court multiple times. Throughout their ordeal, they felt respected by some, yet experienced profound helplessness.
Now back in the UK, they are recovering with family and friends, shopping for new clothing, and adjusting to life after prison. They have no plans to return to Afghanistan, citing safety concerns and the UK’s warning against travel to the country.
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