British Couple, Detained For Almost 8 Months In Afghanistan, Released By Taliban

Kabul: Taliban on Friday released a British couple, who were detained nearly eight months ago in Afghanistan. Peter Reynolds (80) and his wife Barbie (76) were stopped while they were while travelling home on February 1, reported BBC.

Notably, they lived in Afghanistan's Bamiyan province for nearly two decades. The development came after mediation from Qatar. They would be flown to Qatar for medical checks before travelling on to the United Kingdom.

The reason for their detention has not been disclosed by Taliban yet. According to the reports, for the past 18 years, the couple was running charitable training programme in Afghanistan. After Taliban reclaimed power in 2021, the local officials approved their programme.

Jonathan Reynolds, the couple's sone, told BBC in July this year that his father was suffering convulsion and his mother was "numb" due to anaemia and malnutrition. Meanwhile, earlier, the couple's daughter, Sarah Entwistle, had claimed that Peter Reynolds had suffered a mini-stroke.

"They have always been open about their presence and their work, diligently respecting and obeying the laws as they change,” their children said in a letter to the Taliban as quoted by The Associated Press.

UN experts had also warned in July that the British couple were “at risk of irreparable harm or even death” due to their deteriorating health.

As per a report By CNN, Peter Reynolds was suffering from two eye infections and intermittent tremors in his head and left arm during his detention.

Just a six days ago, Taliban also released an American woman, Faye Hall, who was detained along the British couple.

Hall told BBC that Peter Reynolds and Barbie were "dying". Notably, Hall was released two month after she was detained.