An elderly British couple who was detained by the Taliban for eight months, said they feared that they would be killed in the first interview after their release.
76 -year -old Barbie Reynolds and her husband Peter, 80, were arrested and detained in Afghanistan for nearly eight months while traveling to their homes in Bamiyan province. He returned to Britain on Friday after being freed.
The couple, who lived in Afghanistan for nearly two decades while running an education company, were placed in the maximum security prison and long wasolation.
“We started thinking that we would never be released, or that we were being held until we were executed,” Mr. Reynolds said Sunday Times.
The couple revealed that they were held in solitary imprisonment for the last few months, so were unaware that they were being released when they were taken to Kabul Airport.
“In the last few months we have been together in solitary imprisonment, cut all awareness about what was going on in the world,” he said.
Mrs. Reynolds said that she was described as “nothing” about her release.
“Even when we were taken to Kabul Airport, we felt that maybe we are flying somewhere for medical treatment.”
Instead, he was placed on a katari aircraft and blew in Doha. Mr. Reynolds said that the couple suffered a period of separation during detailed separation, meaning they separated their 55th anniversary.
He said, “After 55 years of marriage to my best friend was the most difficult task because of being separated as a couple. I at least requested me to see me on my 55th wedding anniversary, but they said no”, he said.
His son, Jonathan Reynolds, Said that the family was “thrilled” and “overwhelmed” that the couple was released and returned to Britain.
In a statement on Friday, the family said: “We are overwhelmed by gratitude and relief for sharing our parents, Peter And Barbie Reynolds, have been issued in custody after seven months and 21 days Taliban,
“This is a very happy moment for our family, and we are very grateful to all who played a role in achieving their release.”
The family said that they wanted to appreciate the rich of Qatar for their leadership and compassion, and thanked Mohammad Al Khulifi and Miradf Al Kashouti for their “tireless diplomatic efforts and unwavering support in this ordinance”.
The statement said: “His dedication and humanity have made an unforgettable impact on our life.
“We are also very grateful to the UK government for our commitment and support to our family, including to ensure that our parents had access to the drug required during their custody and during their release.
“We thank the US government for its intervention and support to our family American members and the United Nations special coordination.
“This experience has reminded us of the power of diplomacy, sympathy and international cooperation.
“While the recovery road will be long because our parents will regain their health and spend time with their family, today is a day of tremendous bliss and relief.
“We are always grateful to the cutters to stand with us during this difficult time.
“Thank you for giving us back to our family.”
When the couple joined their daughter Sara Antivistal again, there were emotional scenes when they landed in the couple DohaQatar, on Friday afternoon.
Talk to sky News From Kabul Airport on Friday, Mrs. Reynolds said that when asked if the couple would return to Afghanistan again in the future: “If we can, we are Afghan citizens.”
The Taliban never told what happened in the custody of the couple.
Abdul Kahr Balki, a spokesman for the Taliban government, said that the couple had “violated the Afghan law” on X and was released from jail on Friday after a court hearing.
He did not say whether the couple was accused of breaking the law.