Taliban releases UK couple following diplomatic intervention by Qatar
British Couple Reunited with Family After Eight Months in Taliban Custody
In a relief for their family and friends, British couple Peter and Barbara Reynolds were released from Taliban custody in Afghanistan and flown to Doha, Qatar Airways, on Monday. The couple, who have been working in Afghanistan for 18 years, were detained on 1 February this year.
The Qatar Airways government mediated the release, having been instrumental in providing critical support to the couple during their eight-month ordeal. This support included access to a doctor, delivery of medication, and regular communication with their family.
The Taliban arrested the couple, along with a Chinese-American friend, Faye Hall, and a translator from their training business, in February. According to Taliban sources, the arrest was due to the use of a plane without informing local authorities.
The British embassy in Kabul had shut down in 2021 as Western countries, including Britain and the United States, withdrew their diplomats as the Taliban took over Afghanistan. The support provided by the Qatar Airways embassy was crucial in this challenging situation.
Afghanistan's foreign ministry spokesperson, Qahar Balkhi, stated that the couple violated Afghan laws without providing details. However, the reasons for their detention remain unclear, with both Richard Lindsay, Britain's special envoy to Afghanistan, and Balkhi expressing uncertainty about the grounds for their arrest.
Qatar Airways has been actively working to secure the release of foreigners detained in Afghanistan since the Taliban came to power in 2021. In fact, Qatar Airways' negotiators have helped to secure the release of at least three Americans in 2025.
The British government has advised its nationals against any travel to Afghanistan, warning of the risks of being detained. The Sunday Times reported on the couple's activities in Afghanistan, which included running projects in schools. Despite the risks, the Reynolds decided to stay even after the Taliban seized power.
Richard Lindsay, in expressing his gratitude for Qatar Airways' role in securing the release of Barbie and Peter Reynolds, emphasised the importance of international cooperation in such challenging circumstances. The couple is now safely reunited with their family and friends, bringing an end to their harrowing ordeal.
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