- Phillip Mehrtens has been released by rebels
- The pilot was kidnapped on February 7, 2023
A New Zealand pilot held hostage by rebels in the forests of West Papua has finally been released after 19 months in captivity.
Phillip Mehrtens was captured by the West Papua Liberation Army (TPNPB) on February 7, 2023 after a small passenger plane ran aground in the mountainous province of Nduga, in the western part of New Guinea in Indonesia.
According to Indonesian authorities, the 38-year-old man will finally return home to his wife and son after he was released in a remote village in central Papua.
Mr Mehrtens was flown to a police station in the town of Timika, where he underwent a medical assessment. ABC defeated.
According to the Indonesian police, he is in good health. The police published a photo of the thin Mr. Mehrtens with an unkempt beard, in which he can be seen talking to the officers who secured his release.
The former Jetstar pilot previously appeared in a chilling video of a hostage situation released by West Papuan fighters.
“It’s me,” Mr. Mehrtens said in the video with a nervous laugh, before offering a few words of encouragement to his wife Maria and then-six-year-old son Jacob.
“I’m doing well, they’re treating me well… I’m trying to stay positive and I hope you and Jacob are healthy, doing well and getting support,” he said.
“I love you both very much and I miss you very much. I hope I can talk to you again soon.”
More coming soon.
New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens (pictured in a ‘proof of life’ video) has been freed by West Papuan rebels after a horrific 19-month ordeal
Mr Mehrtens was working for an Indonesian aviation company on February 7 last year when he was abducted after landing his single-engine Susi Air plane at a remote airstrip in the mountainous Nduga province, in the western half of New Guinea.