A British couple held by the Taliban in Afghanistan for nearly eight months have arrived back in the UK following their release, ending a long ordeal marked by family appeals and international negotiations.
Peter Reynolds, 80, and his wife Barbie, 76, landed at Heathrow Airport on Saturday after travelling from Doha, where they were reunited with their daughter, Sarah Entwistle.
The couple, who married in Kabul in 1970 and have Afghan citizenship, spent the past 18 years running charitable training programmes in Kabul and Bamiyan.
Their work, which included education projects for women and children, had previously been approved by local authorities despite Taliban restrictions.
Detained on 1 February, the Taliban claimed the couple had broken Afghan laws but never disclosed specific charges. Their family had voiced alarm over their health, with Jonathan warning in July that his father was suffering convulsions and his mother was weakened by anaemia and malnutrition.
Despite the ordeal, Barbie expressed a desire to return to Afghanistan. “We are looking forward to returning if we can. We are Afghan citizens,” she said before leaving Kabul.
Jonathan reveal his parents remained deeply committed to the country, though he questioned how they could continue their work “in a country where you’re not welcome.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer praised Qatar for its vital role in brokering the release.
A Qatari official said the couple had been moved to improved detention conditions during the final stage of talks and underwent medical checks in Doha before travelling home.
The UK does not recognise the Taliban government and continues to advise against all travel to Afghanistan.
