Elderly British Couple Back In UK After Taliban Release

An elderly British couple who endured nearly eight months of detention under Taliban authorities in Afghanistan have successfully returned to the United Kingdom on Saturday.

Peter Reynolds, aged 80, and his wife Barbie, 76, landed on British soil after a flight from Doha, Qatar, where they had undergone medical evaluations following their Friday release.

Qatar played an instrumental role in securing the couple's freedom amid growing concerns about their deteriorating health conditions.

Upon arrival at London's Heathrow airport, Barbie Reynolds displayed a wide smile as the couple emerged from the arrivals area, though they declined to speak with journalists present.

They were welcomed by their daughter, Sarah Entwhistle, and British special representative for Afghanistan, Richard Lindsay.

The family expressed their "immense joy" regarding the Reynolds' release, with emotional scenes unfolding when they reunited with Entwhistle after landing in Doha from Kabul.

"This experience has highlighted the effectiveness of diplomacy, compassion and international collaboration," stated their four children in a collective announcement on Friday.

"While our parents face a lengthy recovery process as they regain their health and reconnect with family, today represents a moment of tremendous joy and relief."

The couple was apprehended in February while returning to their residence in central Afghanistan's Bamiyan province.

According to UN experts, they were initially held in maximum security confinement, "then in underground cells without natural light, before being transferred" to intelligence services facilities in Kabul.

Having married in Kabul in 1970, the couple has lived in Afghanistan for nearly two decades, managing educational initiatives for women and children. They had also acquired Afghan citizenship.

Despite recommendations from the British embassy, they chose to remain in Afghanistan after the Taliban regained control in 2021.

The Taliban authorities have not provided explanations for the couple's detention.

Before departing from Kabul airport on Friday, Barbie Reynolds mentioned they had received good treatment and were "looking forward to seeing our children".

"We hope to return to Afghanistan if possible. We are Afghan citizens," she added.

Their son Jonathan told the BBC that his parents aspired to return to their beloved country.

"They possess not only compassion for Afghanistan's people but also strategic vision, and their work has been incredibly fruitful with tremendously positive impacts," he explained.

In July, independent UN human rights experts urged the Taliban government to release the couple, warning they faced "irreparable harm or even death" as their health condition worsened.

Their family had made numerous appeals for their release, citing serious health concerns.

Taliban foreign ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi stated Friday that the couple "had violated Afghanistan's laws" and were released "following judicial proceedings".

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer remarked that the "long-awaited news will bring enormous relief" to the family.

The British government continues to advise against travel to Afghanistan, warning that its capacity to provide consular assistance remains "extremely limited".

Russia stands as the only nation to have officially recognized the Taliban government, which has implemented strict Islamic law and faced accusations of widespread human rights violations.

Numerous foreign nationals have been detained since the Taliban's return to power in August 2021 following the withdrawal of US-led NATO forces.