A separatist faction in Papua, Indonesia, has announced its intention to release New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens, who has been held captive for over a year. The announcement came through an audio message from a spokesperson on Saturday.
Mehrtens was kidnapped by the armed group, the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), led by Egianus Kogoya, on February 7, 2023, after landing in the remote region of Nduga.
According to spokesperson Sebby Sambom, Kogoya has committed to freeing Mehrtens, with preparations underway for the release, which may take as long as two months. Sambom stated, “Commander Egianus has said humbly, for the sake of humanity, we will release the pilot,” but no explanation was given for the timeline.
The Indonesian military has not responded to requests for comments following the announcement. Previously, Indonesia indicated that discussions with religious and community leaders were prioritized to secure Mehrtens’s release, as military operations in the area posed significant risks.
A year after his kidnapping, New Zealand reiterated its call for the immediate release of Mehrtens. The separatist group has issued several videos of the pilot, in which he appealed for the United Nations to mediate on matters concerning Papua’s independence. In one video, he was seen holding the banned Morning Star flag while surrounded by Papuan fighters.
The conflict for independence in the resource-rich western region of Papua has escalated, with independence fighters increasingly engaging in deadly confrontations and acquiring more advanced weaponry.
The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade acknowledged the reports and ongoing discussions but refrained from providing further comments, emphasizing that the safety and wellbeing of Phillip Mehrtens remain their top priority. The ministry indicated that it is working closely with Indonesian authorities and supporting Mehrtens’s family both in New Zealand and Indonesia.