New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens has been freed after being kidnapped by a faction of the West Papua National Liberation Army in Indonesia’s Papua region. Mehrtens was picked up by a joint team in the Nduga area and is undergoing health and psychological check-ups in Timika regency. Indonesian President Joko Widodo emphasized the importance of negotiation and patience in securing Mehrtens’ release. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters expressed relief that Mehrtens is safe and well, and credited the efforts of various government agencies in securing his release. Brigadier General Faizal Ramadhani highlighted the use of religious and community leaders in negotiations to ensure the safety of the pilot. The Indonesian police plan to hold a press conference regarding Mehrtens’ release. This comes after another New Zealand pilot, Glen Malcolm Conning, was killed by separatist rebels in Papua in August.
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Kiwi pilot released after nearly two years in captivity in Papua, Indonesia
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