Summary
New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens has been released after spending 19 months in captivity held by Indonesian separatist rebels in Papua. Despite the lengthy ordeal, he is reported to be in good health and has expressed joy at being reunited with his family.
Mehrtens was abducted on February 7, 2023, while working for the Indonesian airline Susi Air. His release was secured through diplomatic negotiations between Indonesian and New Zealand authorities, with Indonesian President Joko Widodo confirming that the process prioritized Mehrtens’s safety. The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), the group responsible for his kidnapping, had previously demanded that Indonesia recognize Papuan independence in exchange for his freedom. Throughout his captivity, Mehrtens made several video appearances, reportedly under duress, and his physical condition deteriorated significantly over time, reflecting the challenges he faced. His release underscores the complexities surrounding the ongoing conflict in Papua, a region with a history of separatist movements and military presence from Jakarta.
New Zealand Pilot Freed After 19-Month Captivity by Indonesian Separatist Rebels
Sep. 21 / Brietbart “ (AFP) — New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens has been released from captivity by rebels in Indonesia’s restive Papua region and is in good health despite the...
Sep. 21 / New York Post “ Papua was incorporated into Indonesia in 1969 under a United Nations-sponsored ballot that was widely seen as a sham.