New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens (centre), who was snatched by rebels in Indonesia's restive region of Papua in February last year, gestures as he walks with New Zealand Ambassador to Indonesia Kevin Burnett (right) after arriving from Central Papua by an air force plane at Halim Perdanakusuma air base in Jakarta on September 21, 2024. Phillip Mehrtens has been released from captivity by rebels in Indonesia's restive Papua region and is in good health despite the 19-month ordeal, Indonesian and New Zealand authorities said on September 21. - AFP
JAKARTA (Bernama): The Indonesian government has officially handed over New Zealand pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens to New Zealand authorities at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in East Jakarta following his release from captivity.
During a brief handover ceremony last night, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Hadi Tjahjanto presented Mehrtens to New Zealand’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Kevin Burnett.
Hadi congratulated Mehrtens on his reunion with his family, highlighting that his release was the result of extensive negotiations focused on humanitarian principles.
He also stressed that the Indonesian government did not offer any deals or concessions to the rebel group in exchange for the pilot’s release.
Mehrtens, held hostage by the Armed Group of the Free Papua Organisation (OPM) for 19 and a half months since being captured on February 7 last year while working at a remote airstrip in Paro, Nduga district, was freed by Indonesian security forces.
His rescue by a joint military and police team from the Peace Cartenz Task Force took place on Saturday morning in the village of Yuguru, Maibarok district, after which he was flown to Jakarta on an air force aircraft.
Earlier on Saturday evening, President Joko Widodo told reporters at the Merdeka Palace that the negotiation process for the pilot’s release required patience to avoid a repressive approach, prioritising the safety of the hostage.
He also stated that to prevent future incidents, all activities in the region, including infrastructure projects and logistical flights, will require security oversight.
When asked about critical moments in the negotiations, the president noted: "There’s no need to elaborate, but there was a negotiation process.”
In Wellington, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters expressed relief at the pilot's safe return and confirmed that Mehrtens had spoken with his family.
"This news must be an enormous relief for his friends and loved ones,” he stated in a statement, adding that various government agencies collaborated with Indonesian authorities to secure Mehrtens’ release, with his ministry taking the lead. - Bernama
