New Zealand pilot freed after over 19 months in Papua captivity.
Jakarta: Philip Mehrtens, the New Zealand pilot held hostage in Indonesia’s Papua for over 19 months, has been released following diplomatic negotiations between Wellington, Jakarta, and the rebel group.
Appearing before cameras in Timika thin but healthy, the 38-year-old expressed joy on returning safely to his family. Thanking rescuers, he said, “I am very happy that shortly I will be able to go home.”
Mehrtens went missing after landing his commercial plane in remote Nduga in February 2023, only to be seized along with the aircraft by the West Papua National Liberation Army.
Rebels had demanded countries like New Zealand acknowledge Papuan violence allegations. His release came after “critical” government efforts on both sides.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters welcomed the news in New Zealand while President Joko Widodo said continuous dialogue, not force, secured his freedom.
Mehrtens’ kidnapping was part of the long-running conflict between indigenous Papuans seeking independence and Indonesian forces controlling the resource-rich region.
He is being flown to Jakarta before returning to his awaiting family, in an emotional reunion nearly 20 months after suddenly vanishing in Papua’s volatile conflict landscape.
