Peter Reynolds, 80, and his wife Barbie, 76, a British couple who had lived in Afghanistan for almost 20 years, have been released after nearly eight months in Taliban detention. The couple were stopped on 1 February while traveling home and subsequently held without public explanation, despite attending four court hearings.
The release was secured through mediation by the Qatari government. The couple will first fly to Qatar for medical evaluations before returning to the UK, although they have maintained a long-term residence in Afghanistan’s Bamiyan province.
Peter and Barbie Reynolds married in Kabul in 1970 and spent the last 18 years running a charitable training program approved by local Taliban authorities since their return to power in 2021. Their family described them as deeply connected to Afghanistan, choosing to stay after the Taliban takeover when many Westerners left.
Their son, Jonathan Reynolds, previously highlighted serious health concerns during detention, including convulsions suffered by Peter and severe anaemia and malnutrition affecting Barbie. Their daughter, Sarah Entwistle, also reported a mini-stroke suffered by their father. The UN had warned that without proper medical care, their health was at serious risk.
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