• The Taliban released British couple Peter and Barbie Reynolds after nearly eight months of detention.
• The couple was detained on February 1 and accused of "violating Afghan laws."
• The release followed mediation by Qatar, highlighting international diplomatic efforts.
• Family members expressed relief over the couple's release amid concerns for their health.
• The Taliban's handling of the case raises ongoing international scrutiny of its governance.

On Friday, the Taliban released British couple Peter and Barbie Reynolds, who had been held in Afghanistan for over seven months, following Qatari mediation designed to aid their release. The couple was detained on February 1 while traveling back to their home in Bamiyan after decades of living in the country, running an education and training organization, according to BBC and India Times.

Afghan Foreign Ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi stated that the couple was charged with violating Afghan laws but did not specify the nature of the violations. He reaffirmed the government's stance that the issue of prisoners should not be politicized and expressed gratitude to Qatar for its facilitation in negotiations, reports TRT and Le Monde.

Throughout their detention, the couple’s family expressed serious concerns for their health, fearing for their physical and mental well-being. United Nations human rights experts had previously warned that they faced "irreparable harm or even death," as reported by CBS News and South China Morning Post.

Upon release, Barbie Reynolds expressed relief, saying, "We've been treated very well... We are looking forward to returning to Afghanistan if we can," highlighting their emotional ties to the country where they lived for nearly two decades, as covered by Dawn and Africa News.

The couple’s release comes as the Taliban seeks greater recognition on the global stage, four years after retaking power in Afghanistan. The negotiations surrounding their release case underline the complexities of foreign relations involving the Taliban, particularly the ongoing challenges of international diplomacy in Afghanistan, noted by Al Jazeera and Reuters.