British Elderly Couple Detained By Taliban Freed

PIXABAY'S ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - An elderly couple from England detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan in February was released and flown to Doha on Friday after Qatar's mediation.

Barbie families and Peter Reynolds are concerned about their health and their ability to survive under Taliban custody.

Before boarding the plane, Barbie Reynolds, 76, said she and her husband, 80, would return "if possible", calling them Afghan citizens.

For now, he said he hopes to meet his children and family.

Qatar negotiated with Taliban authorities for several months, coordinating with Britain and the couple's families, the official said.

"During eight months of their detention they were mostly detained separately the Qatari Embassy in Kabul provided them with important support including access to doctors, delivery of medicines, and regular communication with their families," officials told Reuters on Friday, September 19.

Qatar has been working to free foreign nationals detained in Afghanistan since the Taliban came to power in 2021, and has helped free at least three Americans this year.

Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry posted on X the couple had violated Afghan law, without providing further details.

The ministry said Afghanistan "does not view issues related to citizens from a political or transactional perspective".

Richard Lindsay, Britain's special envoy to Afghanistan, said "it is clear that the authorities here determine why they were detained, but we are very grateful that at least today is a very important humanitarian day that they will reunite with their families".

The BBC quoted an official as saying the couple had been arrested after using a plane without informing authorities.

They have lived in Afghanistan for 18 years, running a charity program approved by the Taliban when they came to power in 2021.

The UK's Sunday Times said the two were running programs in schools.

The couple were arrested along with a Chinese-American friend, Faye Hall, and an interpreter from their training ground, the British PA news agency reported.

Hall was released in March, also after Qatar mediation. There is no available information about the translator.

Western countries, including Britain and the United States, closed their embassies and withdrew their diplomats when the Taliban took power.

Britain now advises its citizens not to travel to Afghanistan because of the risk of detention.