Who is Sarah Entwistle? British couple reunited with daughter after months held by Taliban

A British couple who spent nearly eight months in detention by the Taliban have finally been released. Peter Reynolds, 80, and his wife Barbie, 76, were freed on Friday morning after Qatari mediation. The couple reunited with their daughter Sarah Entwistle in Doha in an emotional scene filled with hugs and tears.

Detention and Release of Peter and Barbie Reynolds

The elderly couple were stopped on February 1 while leaving Afghanistan. They had been living in Bamiyan province for nearly two decades and were well known for their community work. The Taliban said they had broken Afghan laws but did not share details of the charges.

After months of negotiations, the couple were released and flown to Qatar. They will undergo medical checks before returning to the UK. Family members said they were overwhelmed with relief and joy.

Emotional Reunion With Daughter Sarah Entwistle

As the plane landed in Doha, their daughter Sarah Entwistle rushed to embrace her parents. The reunion was emotional as the family hugged tightly after months of separation. Sarah had been at the front of the family’s campaign, speaking publicly about her parents’ health struggles while in prison.

Before their release, she told reporters she had last spoken to them on Saturday and that they were “ready to come home.” On Friday, her relief was clear as she finally welcomed them back.

Health Concerns During Detention

Relatives earlier described difficult conditions in Taliban custody. Jonathan Reynolds, the couple’s son, said his father had suffered convulsions, while his mother was weak from malnutrition and anaemia. Sarah Entwistle also confirmed her father had a mini-stroke in prison.

The UN and aid groups had warned that without medical care, their health could suffer permanent damage. A former fellow detainee, American Faye Hall, said the couple were “literally dying” before their release.

Global Efforts Behind Their Release

The UK government, with support from Qatar, the US and the UN, worked for months to secure their freedom. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the news, calling it a huge relief for their family. UK ministers also praised Qatar’s role in negotiations.

Barbie Reynolds expressed gratitude, saying they were treated “very well” in detention and hoped to one day return to Afghanistan, a country they had loved since marrying in Kabul in 1970.