London: A British couple who were detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan for nearly eight months have safely returned to the UK following their release. Peter Reynolds, 80, and his wife Barbie, 76, who had spent almost 20 years living in Afghanistan, arrived at Heathrow Airport from Qatar on Saturday, marking the end of a challenging ordeal.

According to BBC, the couple was reunited with their daughter in Doha prior to their journey back to the UK. Their son, Jonathan Reynolds, expressed immense gratitude and relief, stating he was "ecstatic and massively grateful" for the efforts made to secure their release.

The couple, who married in Kabul in 1970, had been running a charitable training program in Afghanistan for the past 18 years. This initiative, approved by local Taliban officials after the armed group reclaimed power in 2021, focused on education and training for women and children. Despite a Taliban ban on women working and education for girls over 12, their projects reportedly received local approval.

Emotions ran high when Sarah Entwistle, their daughter, met her parents in Doha. Despite their experiences, Barbie expressed a desire to return to Afghanistan to continue their work, though not immediately. Jonathan echoed these sentiments, highlighting the couple's dedication and the positive impact of their work in Afghanistan.

During their detention, the couple faced challenging conditions, subsisting on "oily and salty" prison food. Back in the UK, Barbie expressed a simple wish for salad and marmite, while Peter craved baked beans.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer acknowledged Qatar's crucial role in facilitating the couple's release. A Qatari official mentioned that during the last phase of negotiations, the couple was relocated to a larger facility with improved conditions. Prior to their departure to London, they underwent medical checks in Doha.

Taliban officials stated that the Reynolds received adequate medical care during their detention and that their human rights were respected. However, the UK government maintains its non-recognition of the Taliban regime and advises against travel to Afghanistan, citing severely limited support for British nationals in the country.