British Prime Minister Keir Starmer Welcomes Release of Two Citizens from Taliban Captivit

Kokcha News Agency – Keir Starmer, the British Prime Minister, has welcomed the release of a British couple who were held captive by the Taliban for eight months. The couple, Barry Reynolds, 76, and his wife Peter, 80, were detained by the Taliban’s Ministry of Interior on February 1 while traveling to their home in Bamyan province.

In a statement issued on Friday, immediately after the hostages’ release, Prime Minister Starmer thanked Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, for his country’s efforts in securing the couple’s freedom.

The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs also released a statement acknowledging its role in the process and expressing gratitude for the cooperation of both the Taliban and the British government. Qatar stated that it will continue its mediation efforts.

The reason for the couple’s detention remains unclear. Richard Lindsay, the UK’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, stated that the reason for their arrest is still “unclear.” He added, “They are very happy to be returning home and are looking forward to reuniting with their family.”

The couple, speaking to reporters at Kabul Airport, said, “We were treated very well. We are eager to see our children.”

Barry Reynolds added, “If we can, we would love to return to Afghanistan. We are citizens of Afghanistan.”

A Qatari official told Reuters that during their eight-month detention, during which they were mostly held separately, the Qatari Embassy in Kabul provided vital support, including access to medical care, delivery of medication, and regular communication with their family.

The couple had lived in Afghanistan for 18 years and ran an organization called “Reconstruction,” which provides educational and training programs. They have been together since the 1960s and married in Kabul in 1970.

Their son, Jonathan, said in April that his parents “never heard any charges or a legal case.” He added that the British government had offered to evacuate them during the Taliban takeover, to which his parents responded, “Why should we leave these people in their darkest hour?”

The British couple is now on their way home and will soon reunite with their family.