The son of a British couple detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan for nearly eight months has expressed his joy over their release. Peter Reynolds, 80, and his wife Barbie, 76, who had lived in Afghanistan for almost two decades, are now set to return to the UK, having been reunited with their daughter in Qatar.
Jonathan Reynolds shared his feelings during an interview with BBC Radio 4's Today programme, expressing that he was 'ecstatic and massively grateful' to everyone who played a role in their release.
The couple was detained on February 1 after being accused by the Taliban of breaking local laws, though the group has never publicly disclosed the reason behind their detention.
On Friday, emotional scenes unfolded as their daughter Sarah Entwistle met her parents at the Doha airport. She reflected the family's resilient spirit when she stated, 'We are looking forward to returning to Afghanistan if we can. We are Afghan citizens.'
Jonathan echoed this sentiment, emphasizing their parents' desire to continue their charitable work in Afghanistan, despite the challenges posed by the current regime.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer commended Qatar's efforts in facilitating the couple's release. The Reynolds married in Kabul in 1970 and had been running a training programme aimed at uplifting local communities, which gained approval even after the Taliban regained control in 2021.
After months of public lobbying for their release, Jonathan disclosed that his parents endured severe health issues during their time in confinement, including serious convulsions suffered by his father.
Though currently receiving medical checks in Qatar, the couple are scheduled to arrive in London on Saturday morning via a commercial flight. The Foreign Office warns against all travel to Afghanistan as it does not recognize the Taliban's government. Jonathan, despite the perilous conditions, noted the positive impact of their programmes, stating there is still much work to do for the people of Afghanistan.
