The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan released on Friday Barbie Reynolds, 76, and her husband Peter Reynolds, 80, a British-Afghan couple, after more than seven months of detention.
The couple, who were arrested while returning to their home in Bamyan Province, were transferred to Kabul and then flown to Qatar through the mediation of Richard Lindsay, the British special envoy for Afghanistan, and the Qatari delegation.
Abdul Qahar Balkhi, spokesman for the Islamic Emirate’s foreign ministry, said in a statement that the couple were released after going through judicial procedures and for violating Afghan laws.
He emphasized that the Islamic Emirate does not view the issue of prisoners as political and appreciates Qatar’s efforts in this regard.
Mr. Balkhi added that the Reynolds couple were handed over to the British envoy.
The British government also welcomed their release, saying: “We are pleased with the release of Peter and Barbie Reynolds and will support their family.”
