Son of British couple held by Taliban 'ecstatic' as they return to UK

The son of a British couple detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan for nearly eight months has spoken of his surprise at their release. After being reunited with their daughter in Qatar, Peter Reynolds, 80, and his wife Barbie, 76 – who had lived in Afghanistan for almost two decades – are due to fly to the United Kingdom on Saturday.

Jonathan Reynolds told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that he was “ecstatic” and “tremendously grateful” to those who had played a role in securing their release. The Taliban, who detained the couple on their way home on 1 February, said they had broken Afghan law and were released following judicial hearings. However, the group has never provided a clear reason for their arrest.

On Friday, there were emotional scenes as Sarah Entwistle, the couple’s daughter, greeted her parents as they stepped off a plane in Doha.

“We are looking forward to returning to Afghanistan if we can, after the Qatar-brokered talks for our release,” Barbie told Agence France-Presse at Kabul airport. Their son Jonathan echoed this, saying their intention was to continue living there and carrying on the work they had been doing.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer praised Qatar’s “important role” in ensuring the couple’s release. Peter and Barbie Reynolds, who married in Kabul in 1970, spent 18 years running a charitable training programme approved by local Taliban officials after the group regained power in 2021.

“They not only have a heart for the people of Afghanistan, but also a vision,” Jonathan said. “The work they’ve been doing has been highly fruitful and has had a massively positive impact.” He added that only weeks ago he had shared encouraging reports about their programmes with his parents by phone, to which Barbie replied that they had “more work to do”.

Reflecting on their determination, Jonathan said: “How do you do that in a world where you are not welcome?”

The couple had shown their commitment to Afghanistan by remaining in Bamiyan province after the Taliban seized power in August 2021, while many other Westerners chose to leave. Their detention followed months of public appeals from their family, who described the harsh conditions they endured. In July, Jonathan said his father had suffered severe convulsions, while his mother was weakened by anaemia and hunger.

During the final stage of negotiations, a Qatari official told the BBC the couple had been moved from Kabul’s central jail to a larger facility with improved conditions. While in detention, Taliban leaders reportedly ensured they received medical treatment and that their human rights were respected.

Before travelling to London, the couple were undergoing medical checks in Doha. According to AFP, they are expected to land on a commercial flight on Saturday morning.

The UK does not recognise the Taliban government, which returned to power in Kabul in 2021, and closed its embassy shortly afterwards. With support for British nationals in Afghanistan now severely limited, the Foreign Office continues to advise against all travel to the country.