JAKARTA – A long saga has come to an end as the New Zealand pilot held hostage for over a year in the troubled Papua region has finally been freed by separatist rebels, bringing relief to his family and loved ones.
Phillip Mark Mehrtens, the pilot from Christchurch working for Indonesian aviation company Susi Air, was released by the separatist rebels and handed over to the Cartenz Peace Taskforce, a joint security force established by the Indonesian government to handle separatist groups in Papua. According to taskforce spokesperson Bayu Suseno, Mehrtens was found in good health and was subsequently flown to the mining town of Timika for a thorough health examination.
The abduction took place on Feb. 7, 2023, when independence fighters led by Egianus Kogoya, a key figure in the Free Papua Movement, stormed a single-engine plane on a small runway in Paro and took Mehrtens captive. Kogoya initially stated that the pilot would only be released if Indonesia allowed Papua to become a sovereign entity.
After a year in captivity, the leaders of the West Papua Liberation Army (TPNPB), the armed division of the Free Papua Movement, announced their decision to release Mehrtens. The rebels’ proposal for his release included specific terms, including the involvement of the news media.
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters expressed relief at Mehrtens’ release after 592 days in captivity, reassuring the public that the pilot is safe and has been in contact with his family. Peters acknowledged the tireless efforts of various New Zealand government agencies in collaboration with Indonesian authorities to secure Mehrtens’ release.
Throughout Mehrtens’ ordeal, his family endured significant stress and disruption. To respect their privacy, the New Zealand government has refrained from providing further comments on the matter at this stage.
News outlets from New Zealand reported that Mehrtens, a pilot employed by Susi Air, had been residing in Bali with his family before his abduction at the age of 37. Originally from Christchurch, New Zealand, Mehrtens underwent pilot training in his home country.
This remarkable story, filled with twists and turns, underscores the challenges faced by individuals working in conflict-prone regions like Papua. The safe return of Phillip Mehrtens serves as a beacon of hope and a testament to the unwavering efforts of those involved in his release.
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