British Couple Freed From Taliban Detention: A Family's Joyful Reunion

Mon Oct 13 2025 19:48:25 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

After nearly eight months of detention in Afghanistan, British couple Peter and Barbie Reynolds return home, delighting their son Jonathan with their release. The couple’s connection to Afghanistan remains strong as they express a desire to continue their charitable work there.

Peter and Barbie Reynolds, who were detained by the Taliban for almost eight months, have been released and reunited with their family in Qatar before returning to the UK. Their son expressed gratitude for those who facilitated their release and shared the family's ongoing commitment to Afghanistan.

The son of a British couple detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan for nearly eight months, Jonathan Reynolds, expressed his overwhelming joy over their release. Peter, 80, and Barbie, 76, who had lived in Afghanistan for nearly two decades, are scheduled to fly back to the UK after a poignant reunion with their daughter in Qatar.

Jonathan described himself as ecstatic and massively grateful to all those who contributed to securing his parents' release. The Taliban had arrested the couple on February 1, citing violations of Afghan law, although no specific reasons for their detention were officially provided.

Emotional scenes unfolded on Friday as Sarah Entwistle, their daughter, joyfully welcomed her parents upon their arrival in Doha. We are looking forward to returning to Afghanistan if we can. We are Afghan citizens, Barbie stated after their release was negotiated by Qatar.

The couple’s son shared their enduring love for Afghanistan, stating their wish to continue their charitable efforts there. Peter and Barbie were actively involved in training programs approved by local Taliban officials before their arrest.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer acknowledged Qatar’s pivotal role in the negotiations that ensured their release. The couple endured appalling conditions during their detention, including health issues that were recently highlighted by their family.

The couple’s return marks a hopeful chapter as they transition from detention back to a life dedicated to service in Afghanistan's communities.