A British couple freed by the Taliban after being detained for nearly eight months have emotionally reunited with their daughter, sharing hugs after landing in Qatar.
Peter Reynolds, 80, and his wife Barbie, 76, who lived in Afghanistan for nearly two decades, were on their way home when they were stopped on 1 February.
The couple were released on Friday morning through Qatari mediation, and later landed in Doha where they were met by their daughter. After medical checks they will travel to the UK, despite their long-term home being in Afghanistan’s Bamiyan province.
The Taliban said the pair had broken Afghan laws and were released after judicial proceedings – but has never disclosed the reason for their detention.
There were emotional scenes in Doha as the couple’s daughter, Sarah Entwistle, met her parents as they stepped off of the plane. They shared long hugs before walking together towards the airport building.
Shortly after landing in Doha, Mrs Reynolds said it was “wonderful to be here”. The couple were also seen greeting Qatari and British representatives.
Before her parents landed, Ms Entwistle told reporters she most recently spoke to them last Saturday and they were “ready to come home”.
Earlier, the family said they were “overwhelmed with gratitude and relief” at the couple’s release.
They said it was “a moment of immense joy”, adding in a statement that they were “deeply thankful to everyone who played a role in securing their release”.
“While the road to recovery will be long as our parents regain their health and spend time with their family, today is a day of tremendous joy and relief.”
The family paid particular tribute to the “unwavering support” of the Qatari mediators, as well as the diplomatic efforts of the UK government and the support of the US and the UN.
Peter and Barbie Reynolds married in Kabul in 1970 and spent the past 18 years running a charitable training programme that had been approved by local Taliban officials when the armed group reclaimed power in 2021.
