Kiwi pilot released after being held captive in Indonesia’s Papua for almost two years

New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens has been freed after being held captive by a faction of the West Papua National Liberation Army in Indonesia’s Papua region for more than 19 months. He was picked up by a joint team in the Nduga area and is undergoing health check-ups and a psychological examination in Timika regency. Indonesian President Joko Widodo emphasized that the safety of the pilot was a priority during the negotiation process, which was done without repression. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters expressed relief at Mehrtens’ safe release and confirmed that he was able to speak with his family. Various New Zealand government agencies had been involved in working towards securing his release. Indonesian authorities are prioritizing communication with religious, church, and traditional leaders as well as close family members of the rebel leader Egianus Kogoya to ensure the safety of the pilot. Another New Zealand pilot, Glen Malcolm Conning, was tragically killed by separatist rebels in Papua in August. Authorities in Indonesia are set to hold a press conference later to provide more information about Mehrtens’ release.

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