JAKARTA (Reuters) – New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens has been freed greater than 19 months after he was kidnapped by armed separatists in Papua, Indonesia, authorities mentioned on Saturday.
Indonesian police mentioned in an announcement that Mertens was launched and picked up by a joint crew in Nduga area and is at present present process well being and psychological examinations in Timika County.
Footage from Indonesia’s Metropolis TV station confirmed him tearfully speaking to his household on the cellphone.
On February 7, 2023, Mertens was kidnapped by a faction of the West Papua Nationwide Liberation Military (TPNPB) led by Egianus Kogoya after he landed a small industrial airplane within the distant mountainous space of Nduga. Received him.
“Through the lengthy negotiation course of, our first precedence is to make sure the security of the pilots,” Indonesian President Joko Widodo mentioned in a televised tackle.
New Zealand Overseas Minister Winston Peters mentioned: “We’re delighted and relieved to substantiate that Philippe Mertens is protected and nicely and capable of communicate to his household. This information have to be large for his buddies and family members. of consolation.
Peters mentioned in an announcement {that a} vary of New Zealand authorities companies have been working with Indonesian authorities and others to safe Mertens’ launch.
Indonesian Brigadier Normal Faizal Ramadhani, head of the Cartenz 2024 peace operation, mentioned: “We’re prioritizing actions via non secular leaders, church leaders, conventional leaders and shut relations of Egianus Kogoya to attenuate casualties and keep the security of the pilots.”
Indonesian police mentioned they might maintain a information convention in a while Saturday.
One other New Zealand pilot, Glen Malcolm Conning, was killed by separatist rebels whereas touchdown in a distant area of Papua in August, authorities mentioned on the time.
