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Papua armed group releases New Zealand pilot from captivity: Police
The task force picked up Mehrtens in a village of Nduga district this morning, according to security officers.
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New Zealand pilot Philip Mehrtens read a statement prepared by a group of separatists in Papua on March 10, 2023. (The Jakarta Post/Twitter)
A
n armed rebel group in Papua have released New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens from captivity, the National Police said on Saturday, more than a year and a half after he was kidnapped.
Mehrtens was working for airline Susi Air when he was snatched by rebels at Nduga airport in the restive region on Feb. 7 last year.
"Today we have picked up pilot Phillip who is in good health and we flew him from Nduga to Timika," Brig. Gen. Faizal Ramadhani, head of Cartenz Peace Operation joint task force assigned to handle the Papuan armed groups, said in a statement.
The task force picked up Mehrtens in a village of Nduga district this morning, Faizal added.
The released hostage was then given medical and psychological checks before he was flown to Papua's city of Timika.
"We are prioritizing approach through religious leaders, church leaders, traditional leaders and Egianus Kogoya's close family to minimize casualties and maintain the safety of the pilot," Faizal said, referring to the leader of armed faction that abducted Mehrtens.
Mehrtens was providing vital air links and supplies to remote communities at the time of his abduction by members of a faction of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) insurgent group.
His release came after intense diplomatic efforts by Wellington and Jakarta.
Rebels had demanded Indonesia recognise Papuan independence in return for his freedom.
"We are pleased and relieved to confirm that Phillip Mehrtens is safe and well and has been able to talk with his family. This news must be an enormous relief for his friends and loved ones," New Zealand foreign minister Winston Peters said on Saturday.
The TPNPB did not respond to a request for comment.
Indonesia maintains a heavy military presence in resource-rich but underdeveloped Papua to quell a long-running separatist insurgency.
Armed group attacks in Papua have risen in recent years and flying is the only available option to reach remote mountainous areas there.
