Peter & Barbie Reynolds, Freed 👏👏👏

PM statement on release of Peter and Barbara Reynolds: 19 September 2025 - GOV.UK share.google/tppF9BDNQoBWOb7rh

Excellent news. Relieved for them & their family.

So very pleased. What a farce.

Thank goodness for that

That is such good news. I feared for their safety.

Wonderful news😊

Freed through Qatari mediation. Excellent news.

Sorry, GrannyGravy, I didn't see this thread, the Gransnet search facility is not working and I started another thread.

Should I ask for it to be deleted?

I was pleased for them and their family until I read that Barbie said they want to go back to Afghanistan! Hopefully their AC will talk them out of it.

Yes, can't believe they would ever want to return.

Oh good stuff. I hope they don’t return there.

Saw headlines this morning that Afghans coming here because their country is so dangerous for them (ex Army, I think), are returning there for a holiday 😳

They have been there 18 years I think.
It is basically their home.
They have schools programmes there - one unfinished.

I also couldn’t believe that they plan to go back.
Utter madness surely?
They allegedly had a terrible time in prison, having no idea what they had done wrong, so how can they be sure they wouldn’t commit the same ‘crime’ again?

Then the authorities here would be compelled to negotiate their release.

I know they are charity workers out there and love the country but at their age it’s so irresponsible.

I hope they come to their senses.

I think it's sad that "at their age" comes into it.

My swimming friend and daughter have returned to Ukraine.
They felt they had to go back to be part of it. They felt they had run away (which they had) and the mum said she felt "stronger now".

You can't help where your heart is.

That’s different tho, they were Ukrainians.
This couple are British and know that they’re not welcome now in Afghanistan and neither are their school programmes.
They could easily end up back in prison for some made up infringement.

And ‘at their age’ does come into it as they will need medical help as they get older, he is already 80.

Their programmes are in use AND approved apparently.

They were married there in 1970 and are citizens.

They have lived there now for over 18 years, and became Afghan citizens as this is the country they call ‘home’. When the Taliban took over in 2021 they refused to leave, saying they ‘couldn’t leave the country and the people they love, in their darkest hour.

Soon after this happened, the Taliban invited them to speak to a large group of their leaders about the work they do there. They were working with 5 schools, training the teachers to help children ‘learn through active participation’ (& play) rather than the current system of ‘by rote’. The Taliban loved what they had to say (even gave Barbie the first woman’s ’Certificate of Appreciation'!)

Peter and Barbie have never hidden what they are doing, and meticulously adhere to the laws regarding education, as they frequently change.

They have been spending time with mothers and their children in Nayak where they now live, teaching them parenting, conflict resolution and communication skills. They have also taught them about how to love their husbands, and have sent testimonials to us about how families are being changed by this simple teaching. The Elders and Police in Nayak know them well, and have been very supportive of their work.
(From the campaign for their release)

Then they were arrested.

Yes, I had read all about them, good hearted people caught up in the hellish clutches of Muslim extremists, the taliban. They spent eight months in prison in awful conditions and had 29 interrogations and three or four court appearances.Never charged with anything at all, because they hadn’t done anything wrong at all.Just the taliban being the awful swine that they are.
This couple aren’t welcome and their teachings aren’t welcome there now.I hope they stay away.

I still say it's their choice.
They know more about it than I do.

I would be put off going back for sure.
And would be nervous if they were my family.

Of course it’s their choice, but people are concerned what will happen to them if they do.
There will be more trumped up charges coming their way, but if they don’t learn from their experiences then it’s on them.

They have been released but no-one knows what deals have been done behind the scenes; they certainly won't have been released purely through goodwill.
It would be extremely foolhardy for them to put themselves, and possibly other people, at risk again.