New Zealand pilot freed by Indonesian rebels after 19 months in captivity

A New Zealand pilot, kidnapped in Indonesia’s Papua region over a year ago, has been released. Phillip Mark Mehrtens, 38, who worked for Susi Air, was abducted from a remote airport in February 2023. He was finally freed on Saturday.

“Today I finally got out. I am so happy to be back home with my family soon,” Mehrtens said during a news conference in the mining town of Timika. Appearing visibly thin, with long hair, Mehrtens thanked everyone who helped secure his release, according to a report by Associated Press.

Television footage showed him sitting in a room with police and local officials, emotionally speaking to his family via video call. He was later flown to Jakarta to reunite with them.

The Free Papua Movement, which seeks independence for the Papua region, initially demanded Papua’s sovereignty in exchange for Mehrtens’ release. Egianus Kogoya, a regional commander of the movement, led the group responsible for the abduction. 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 media involvement.

A taskforce spokesperson, Bayu Suseno, credited the pilot’s release to extensive negotiations led by a small team that maintained communication with the separatists through local church leaders, youth figures, and the community. “This is incredibly good news,” Suseno said, highlighting that the “soft approach” ensured the safe release of Mehrtens without any casualties.

New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters expressed relief, stating that multiple government agencies had been working with Indonesian authorities for over 19 months to secure the pilot’s freedom. Peters thanked the media for showing “cooperation and restraint” in covering the case, adding that the ordeal had taken a significant toll on the Mehrtens family, who requested privacy.

Phillip Mehrtens was one of several expatriate pilots employed by Susi Air and had been living in Bali with his family prior to the abduction. Peters refrained from providing specific details about how the pilot was freed, calling the situation “tricky.” He emphasised the challenge of building trust with the rebels and the importance of staying patient to ensure the mission’s success. “It was quite nerve-wracking,” Peters admitted, expressing relief that the efforts succeeded.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo praised the military and police for prioritising negotiation and safety in securing Mehrtens’ release, stating, “This was through a very long negotiation process and our patience not to act repressively.”

Upon Mehrtens’ arrival at Jakarta’s Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base late on Saturday, he was greeted by Indonesian officials and New Zealand diplomats. Indonesian officials formally handed him over to New Zealand’s Ambassador in Jakarta, Kevin Burnett, who will oversee his safety.

Despite previous attacks by 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 made no demands in exchange for Mehrtens’ release. The safety of the hostage remained a top priority throughout the negotiations.

In a previous abduction 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 hostages were freed after five months.

(with inputs from AP)

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