Elderly British Couple Released by Taliban After Months of Detention in Afghanistan
Elderly British couple, Peter and Barbara Reynolds, were released by the Taliban after nearly eight months of detention in Afghanistan on undisclosed charges, following health warnings.
Subscribe to unlock this story
We really don't like cutting you off, but you've reached your monthly limit. At just $5/month, subscriptions are how we keep this project going. Start your free 7-day trial today!
Get StartedHave an account? Sign in
Overview
- Elderly British couple, Peter Reynolds, 80, and Barbara Reynolds, 76, were released by the Taliban in Afghanistan after being detained for almost eight months since February.
- The couple, who had lived in Afghanistan for 18 years running the 'Rebuild' organization, were held on undisclosed charges, prompting their family to call for their release.
- United Nations human rights experts warned of the Reynolds' deteriorating health and risk of irreparable harm, which contributed to their eventual release by the Taliban.
- During their detention, the Qatari embassy in Kabul provided crucial support, including access to their doctor, medication delivery, and facilitating regular communication with their family.
- The Reynolds were part of a larger group of four individuals, including two British nationals and a Chinese-American, along with their interpreter, who were also freed after eight months.
Report issue
Read both sides in 5 minutes each day
Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover the story neutrally, focusing on factual reporting and attributing all claims and opinions to specific sources. They present a balanced account of the British couple's release, detailing diplomatic efforts, the couple's background, and various stakeholders' perspectives without editorializing or using loaded language, allowing readers to form their own conclusions.
"The Taliban released a British couple on Friday who had been held in Afghanistan for more than seven months on undisclosed charges, officials said."
CBS NewsArticles (5)
FAQ
There were no officially stated charges against Peter and Barbara Reynolds during their nearly eight months of detention by the Taliban.
Peter and Barbara Reynolds ran training projects through their organisation Rebuild since 2009, including projects that trained mothers and children in Bamiyan Province.
The Qatari embassy in Kabul provided crucial support by facilitating access to their doctor, delivering medication, and enabling regular communication with their family during their detention.
The UK government worked intensively since their detention, supported the family throughout, and expressed relief upon their release, acknowledging the limited ability to provide consular support in Afghanistan with no embassy present.
Along with the Reynolds couple, their friend Faye Hall, a Chinese-American, and a local Afghan translator were also detained; Faye Hall was released earlier than the Reynolds.
History
- This story does not have any previous versions.