Peter and Barbie Reynolds, a British couple in their late 70s and early 80s, have spoken out after being held by the Taliban in Afghanistan for almost eight months. They say during their detention, they feared that they would be executed.
The Independent
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Who Are They
Peter Reynolds, aged 80, and his wife Barbie, aged 76, have lived in Afghanistan for about 18 years.
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Wikipedia
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They run a charity called Rebuild, which provides educational and training programmes, especially for women and children.
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They were arrested by the Taliban on 1 February 2025 while returning home to Bamiyan province. Also arrested were their interpreter Juya and a friend, Faye Hall, who is American.
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What Happened During Detention
No clear charges: The couple say they were never told exactly what they had done wrong. They did not get proper legal help.
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Harsh conditions: They were held in tough places like a maximum-security prison and in underground cells. They described feeling scared, isolated, and in some cases chained at the hands and ankles.
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Health worries: Peter needs heart medication. The delays and conditions made their health worse. Barbie also suffered from anaemia.
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Because of all this, especially the uncertainty and severity of the treatment, they said they believed they might be killed. They felt like there was a chance they’d be executed.
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Release and Reactions
On 19 September 2025, the couple were released from Taliban custody, following mediation by Qatari diplomats. They were flown first to Doha, Qatar, where relatives and British officials had been working behind the scenes to secure their freedom.
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When they arrived safely back, they expressed relief and gratitude to those who helped them—family members, Qatar, and others.
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Even after their release, some things remain unclear:
Why exactly the Taliban arrested them.
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Why they were kept for so long without clear charges or a fair hearing.
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Why This Matters
This case raises many questions about human rights, rule of law, and how detainees are treated under Taliban control. It shows the distress people face when arrested without clear reason and held without legal protections.
It also shows the role of diplomacy: without Qatar mediating, the Reynolds might still be in detention. Their release brings hope but also draws attention to others who remain detained and whose rights are not respected.