A British couple who had been held in detention by the Taliban in Afghanistan have been released and have flown in a foreign country, an official with information of the matter instructed NCS on Friday.
Peter, 80, and Barbie Reynolds, who’s in her mid-70s, had been arrested by the Taliban from their residence in Afghanistan’s Bamyan Province in February.
UN specialists warned in July that they had been “at risk of irreparable harm or even death” as their well being had been “deteriorating rapidly.”
The pair have now been released in a Qatari mediated settlement after months of negotiations, the source stated. It’s unclear why the couple had been arrested.
They will obtain medical checkups in Qatar’s capital, Doha, earlier than touring on to the United Kingdom.
A “breakthrough” in the case got here when the Taliban transferred the Reynolds from Kabul’s central jail – the place they had been held individually – to a bigger, better-equipped facility, reuniting them and making certain improved circumstances “during the final stages of negotiation,” the source added.
The married couple had lived in Afghanistan for 18 years the place they had been operating ‘Rebuild,’ a enterprise offering coaching companies to numerous corporations and organizations all through the nation.
Despite worldwide help teams withdrawing from Afghanistan as a result of Taliban’s oppressive regime and its persecution of girls and ladies, the Reynolds selected to stay.
“They have always been open about their presence and their work, diligently respecting and obeying the laws as they change,” their youngsters stated in a letter to the Taliban, shared in February with The Associated Press.
During his detention, Peter Reynolds was affected by two eye infections and intermittent tremors in his head and left arm, elevating critical issues.
Barbie Reynolds had anemia throughout detention, leaving her weak and frail, probably attributable to months of insufficient meals high quality and amount, UN specialists stated.
“The Qatari embassy in Kabul provided them with critical support, including access to their doctor, delivery of medication, and regular communication with their family,” the source instructed NCS.