The British couple released after months in the Taliban prison

The family of a British couple, who has been detained by the Taliban for nearly eight months, claim to be “overwhelmed with gratitude and relief” in the release of the couple.

The 80 -year -old Peter Reynolds and his wife Barbie, 76, who lived in Afghanistan for nearly two decades, were on the way home when they were stopped on February 1st.

The couple was released on Friday morning through Qatar mediation. A Qatari official said they would fly to Qatar for medical examination before traveling to the United Kingdom, although their long -term home was in Baminian province in Afghanistan.

The Taliban said the couple had violated Afghan laws and was released after court proceedings – but never revealed the reason for their detention.

The family said it was a “moment of great joy”, adding in a statement that they were “deeply grateful to all who played a role in securing their release.”

“This experience reminded us of the power of diplomacy, empathy and international cooperation,” they said.

“While the way to recovery will be long as our parents regain their health and spend time with their family, today is a day of great joy and relief.”

The family was particularly honored to the “unwavering support” to Qatari mediators, as well as to the diplomatic efforts of the United Kingdom Government and the US and the UN support.

Peter and Barbie Reynolds got married in Kabul in 1970 and spent the last 18 years conducting a charity training program that was approved by local Taliban officials when the armed group restored power in 2021.

They are described by the family as a lifelong love for Afghanistan, typical of their decision to stay there after the authoritarian regime seized control in August 2021, when many other Westers left.

Their release follows months of public lobbying from their family, who have described the excruciating conditions of their detention.

The son of the couple Jonathan Reynolds said in July that his father had suffered serious convulsions and his mother was “numb” by anemia and malnutrition.

“My father was nailed for murderers and criminals,” he said at the time, adding that they were kept in a basement at one point for six weeks without sunlight.

Responding to the news of their release on Friday, Reynolds told BBC Skurk: “I can’t wait to hug them and hug them.”

Earlier, Sarah Entwistle, their daughter, said her father had suffered a mini-blow while the UN warned that without medical attention, the couple was at risk of irreparable harm.

Just six days ago an American woman who was detained with them and subsequently released Before the BBC They were “literally dying” in prison and this “expires time”.

Fay Hall, which was released for two months in their detention, emphasized that the health of the adult couple quickly worsened while in prison.

A Qatari officer told the BBC that the couple had been moved from the Central Prison of Kabul to a larger facility with better conditions during the last stage of negotiations for their release.

The official employee also stated that the Qatari Embassy in Kabul had provided them with medicines, access to a doctor and medical communication with his family while in prison.

Taliban officials say they have received adequate medical care in prison and their human rights have been respected.

The United Kingdom does not recognize the Taliban government and closed its embassy in Kabul when the group returned to power.

The Foreign Office Service says support for British citizens in Afghanistan is “very limited” and advises all trips to the country.

An employee of the Taliban said Peter and Barbie Reynolds were handed over to the UK special envoy to Afghanistan Richard Lindsay, who was depicted with the couple aboard his flight to Qatar.

The Minister of the Middle East in the United Kingdom, Hamish Falconene, said he was relieved, that the couple had already been released, adding: “I look forward to reuniting with their family.”

He said the United Kingdom “works intensively” to ensure its release, while Qatar “plays a significant role in this case, for which I am extremely grateful.”