The arrest of a British couple in Afghanistan was over a “misunderstanding”, the Taliban has mentioned.
Peter Reynolds, 79, and his spouse Barbie, 75, had been detained by the Taliban’s inside ministry on 1 February.
The rationale for his or her arrests was instantly unknown.
However the Taliban mentioned on Tuesday that the couple had been detained as a result of a “misunderstanding” that that they had pretend Afghan passports.
The 4 grownup kids of the couple mentioned final week that their mother and father had been married in Kabul in 1970 and have lived in Afghanistan for 18 years – remaining after the withdrawal of Western troops and the Taliban’s return to energy in 2021.
The couple runs an organisation named Rebuild, which offers schooling and coaching programmes for companies, authorities companies, instructional organisations and nongovernmental teams.
Mr and Mrs Reynolds, who’re additionally Afghan residents, allegedly texted their kids after their arrests saying they didn’t need Western authorities to become involved.
In a letter to the Taliban, their kids wrote: “Our mother and father have persistently expressed their dedication to Afghanistan, stating that they might relatively sacrifice their lives than turn out to be a part of ransom negotiations or be traded.
“We trust that this is not your intention, as we are instructed to respect their wishes to remain with you.”
The Taliban have launched no additional particulars nor confirmed if the couple have now been launched.
On Monday, the BBC reported the Taliban as saying they might “endeavour” to launch the couple “as soon as possible”.
