JAKARTA: New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens has been freed by rebels in Indonesia’s Papua region after 19 months in captivity, authorities from both countries reported on Saturday.
The 38-year-old pilot was abducted by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) on February 7, 2023, while working for Susi Air at Nduga airport.
A joint police and military task force collected Mehrtens from a village in the Nduga district early Saturday. He was then flown to Timika for medical and psychological evaluations. Faizal Ramadhani, head of the special unit handling the situation, confirmed his good health.
The New Zealand government expressed relief at his safe return, stating that Mehrtens had communicated with his family. Foreign Minister Winston Peters emphasized the significance of the news for his loved ones.
Mehrtens’ release followed intense diplomatic negotiations between New Zealand and Indonesia. President Joko Widodo stated that his safety was secured through negotiation rather than military force. The TPNPB had previously demanded recognition of Papuan independence in exchange for his freedom and threatened his life if discussions did not progress.
During his captivity, Mehrtens appeared in occasional videos, where he appeared gaunt and requested asthma medication. While the rebels claimed he was in good health, his physical condition had visibly deteriorated.
Mehrtens, a father from Christchurch, was known for providing vital air links to remote communities in Papua. His abduction underscored the increasing tensions in the region, where the military presence is strong due to a longstanding separatist insurgency.
