A separatist group in Papua, Indonesia, has agreed to release New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens, who has been held captive for over a year. This announcement was made in an audio message by a spokesperson for the armed faction of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) on Saturday.
Mehrtens was kidnapped on February 7, 2023, after landing a small commercial plane in the remote region of Nduga. The faction, led by Egianus Kogoya, has confirmed the plan to release him, stating it may take up to two months to finalize.
Sebby Sambom, the spokesperson, conveyed that Commander Kogoya has expressed a readiness to release the pilot “for the sake of humanity,” but did not specify the reasons for the projected timeframe for the release.
The Indonesian military did not immediately respond to requests for comments regarding the situation. The Indonesian government has previously emphasized its efforts to engage with religious and community leaders to facilitate the pilot’s release, as military intervention in the challenging terrain poses significant risks.
New Zealand’s government called for Mehrtens’ immediate release after a year of captivity. The separatist group has released several videos of him, pleading for United Nations mediation in discussions about Papua’s independence, with some clips showing him holding the banned Morning Star flag alongside Papuan fighters.
The conflict for independence in the western half of Papua, rich in resources, has escalated, marked by more frequent and deadly attacks by independence fighters increasingly armed with advanced weaponry.
In a statement, New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade acknowledged awareness of the ongoing situation but refrained from further comments. The ministry reiterated that the safety and well-being of Phillip Mehrtens remains a top priority, assuring that they are working closely with Indonesian authorities and offering support to Mehrtens’ family both in New Zealand and Indonesia.