A British couple released by the Taliban in Afghanistan last week say they were detained in 10 different prisons and at one point thought they would be executed.
Peter, 80, and wife Barbie Reynolds, 76, stated that it was never explained to them why they were held or why they were released. The couple, who have run a charity programme in Afghanistan for almost two decades, arrived back in the UK on Saturday after seven and a half months in detention.
Good, old-fashioned diplomacy ended their ordeal, according to Hamish Falconer, minister for the Middle East, who also expressed gratitude towards the government of Qatar for mediating their release.
Both Peter and Barbie suffered health issues during their prison time, including severe anaemia, although Taliban officials claimed they received adequate medical care and that their rights were respected.
The couple were arrested on February 1 after taking a chartered flight from Kabul to Bamiyan province, along with friend Faye Hall and their translator, who were released earlier. After their release, a spokesperson for the Taliban's foreign ministry stated they had served their time but did not divulge the reasons for their detention.
We have a lot to process, Peter Reynolds said. We are leaving behind quality people, our home, and all our possessions. The couple, married in Afghanistan in 1970, has long been involved in educational projects despite the Taliban's restrictions on women's work and education for girls over twelve years old.
During their captivity, one of the prisons they were held in was Pul-e-Charkhi, a notorious maximum security facility. They described conditions of being held in basement cells with no windows for two months but later experienced improved treatment in above-ground facilities.
Reflecting on their experience, they noted feelings of helplessness yet acknowledged moments of kindness from some guards. Peter shared the haunting experience of being transported to court, handcuffed alongside serious criminals, while Barbie recounted the struggle of witnessing her husband’s physical challenges due to their confinement.
Now back in the UK, both express a desire for a peaceful future for the Afghan people and do not intend to return given the current safety risks highlighted by the UK government's travel advisories.
Peter, 80, and wife Barbie Reynolds, 76, stated that it was never explained to them why they were held or why they were released. The couple, who have run a charity programme in Afghanistan for almost two decades, arrived back in the UK on Saturday after seven and a half months in detention.
Good, old-fashioned diplomacy ended their ordeal, according to Hamish Falconer, minister for the Middle East, who also expressed gratitude towards the government of Qatar for mediating their release.
Both Peter and Barbie suffered health issues during their prison time, including severe anaemia, although Taliban officials claimed they received adequate medical care and that their rights were respected.
The couple were arrested on February 1 after taking a chartered flight from Kabul to Bamiyan province, along with friend Faye Hall and their translator, who were released earlier. After their release, a spokesperson for the Taliban's foreign ministry stated they had served their time but did not divulge the reasons for their detention.
We have a lot to process, Peter Reynolds said. We are leaving behind quality people, our home, and all our possessions. The couple, married in Afghanistan in 1970, has long been involved in educational projects despite the Taliban's restrictions on women's work and education for girls over twelve years old.
During their captivity, one of the prisons they were held in was Pul-e-Charkhi, a notorious maximum security facility. They described conditions of being held in basement cells with no windows for two months but later experienced improved treatment in above-ground facilities.
Reflecting on their experience, they noted feelings of helplessness yet acknowledged moments of kindness from some guards. Peter shared the haunting experience of being transported to court, handcuffed alongside serious criminals, while Barbie recounted the struggle of witnessing her husband’s physical challenges due to their confinement.
Now back in the UK, both express a desire for a peaceful future for the Afghan people and do not intend to return given the current safety risks highlighted by the UK government's travel advisories.
