Safe return: Mehrtens (centre) gesturing 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. — AFP
The family of a kidnapped New Zealand pilot have thanked the Indonesian rebels who released him for taking care of him during more than a year and a half in captivity.
Phillip Mehrtens, 38, was working for Indonesian airline Susi Air when he was snatched by rebels from the West Papua National Liberation Army insurgent group at Papua’s Nduga airport on Feb 7 last year.
A day after his release was announced, Mehrtens’ family issued a statement thanking all those involved in his liberation including the Indonesian government, police and military, and the New Zealand authorities.
They also expressed thanks to Ekianus Kogoya, a military commander in the Papua rebel group, and his fighters for “keeping Phil as safe and healthy as their means allowed, and for allowing Phil to get several messages out during this period to let us know that he was alive and okay”.
“Those messages filled our souls and gave us hope that we would eventually see Phil again,” the family said.
During his captivity in the Papuan countryside, the New Zealander made sporadic appearances on video to address his family and his government.
The rebels said he was in good health throughout, but his appearance changed drastically over time, with the pilot becoming gaunt, long-haired and bearded in proof-of-life videos.
Mehrtens appeared in good physical condition in handout images published by Indonesian authorities on Saturday. — AFP
