Safe at last: Mehrtens (left) at a press conference following his release in Timika. — AFP
New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens has been released from captivity by rebels in Indonesia’s restive region of Papua and is in good health despite the 19-month ordeal, Indonesian and New Zealand authorities said.
Mehrtens, 38, was working for Indonesian airline Susi Air when he was snatched by rebels from the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) insurgent group at Papua’s Nduga airport on Feb 7 last year.
A joint task force of police and military collected Mehrtens in a village of Nduga district early yesterday before he was given medical and psychological checks and flown to the Papuan city of Timika.
“Today we have picked up pilot Phillip, who is in good health, and we flew him from Nduga to Timika,” Faizal Ramadhani, head of the special unit formed to handle rebels in Papua, said yesterday.The New Zealand government said Mehrtens was doing well and had spoken to his family, which had been assisted by Wellington.
“We are pleased and relieved to confirm that Phillip Mehrtens is safe and well and has been able to talk with his family,” Foreign Minister Winston Peters said.
“This news must be an enormous relief for his friends and loved ones.”
Mehrtens was providing vital air links and supplies to remote communities at the time of his abduction by rebels from the TPNPB.
His release came after intense diplomatic efforts by Wellington and Jakarta.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo yesterday said that Jakarta had secured Mehrtens’s safety through negotiation, not force.
“We prioritised the safety of the pilot who was held hostage. It was a long process and I appreciate the authorities,” he said.
Rebels had demanded that Indonesia recognise Papuan independence in return for his freedom. The rebels had at one point threatened to kill Mehrtens if talks were not forthcoming.
Mehrtens appeared in good physical condition in handout images published by Indonesian authorities after his release. — AFP
