A New Zealand pilot, who was kidnapped in the Papua region of Indonesia about a year ago, has been released. Phillip Mark Mehrtens, 38, who worked for Susi Air, was kidnapped at a remote airport in February 2023. He was finally released on Saturday.
“Today I finally went out. I am very happy to return home with my family soon,” said Mehtens at a press conference in the mining town of Timika. Appearing thin, with long hair, Mehtens thanked everyone who helped in his release, according to the report of The Associated Press.
Television footage showed him sitting in a room with police and local officials, talking to his family via video. He was later taken to Jakarta to meet them.
The Free Papua Movement, seeking independence for the region of Papua, initially demanded the sovereignty of Papua in exchange for Mehrtens’ release. Egianus Kogoya, the regional commander of the organization, was leading the team responsible for the kidnapping. However, the West Papua Liberation Army, the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement, later issued a proposal for his release, outlining terms that included the involvement of the media.
The team’s spokesperson, Bayu Suseno, credited the release of the pilot to extensive discussions led by a small team that maintained contact with the separatists through local church leaders, youth, and the community. “This is incredibly good news,” Suseno said, stressing that the “soft approach” ensured Mehrtens’ safe release without injuries.
New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters expressed relief, saying many government agencies had been working with Indonesian authorities for more than 19 months to secure the pilot’s freedom. Peters thanked the media for showing “cooperation and restraint” in reporting the case, adding that the massacre has greatly affected the Mehrtens family, who requested privacy.
Phillip Mehrtens was one of the expatriate pilots employed by Susi Air and lived in Bali with his family before the abduction. Peters declined to provide specific details on how the pilot was freed, calling the situation a “trick.” He emphasized the challenge of building trust among the rebels and the importance of patience to ensure the success of this campaign. “It was very shocking,” admitted Peters, expressing relief that the efforts had succeeded.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo praised the military and police for prioritizing negotiations and security to free Mehrtens, saying, “This has been a very long negotiation process and our patience does not take repressive measures.”
When Mehrtens arrived at Jakarta’s Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base late Saturday, he was met by Indonesian officials and New Zealand ambassadors. Indonesian officials have officially handed New Zealand’s Ambassador to Jakarta, Kevin Burnett, over to look after his safety.
Despite previous attacks by the separatists, including the killing of six Indonesian soldiers in April 2023 and the death of another New Zealand pilot, Glen Malcolm Conning, in August, the rebels have made no demands for Mehrtens’ release. The safety of the hostages remained a priority in all negotiations.
In a previous kidnapping in 1996, the Free Papua Movement kidnapped 26 members of a World Wildlife Fund mission, resulting in the deaths of two Indonesians before the remaining captives were released five months later.
(with input from AP)