Phillip Mehrtens was captured by separatist rebels after they stormed his plane on 7 February last year. The group had taken him hostage in hopes of forcing talks about independence from Indonesia.
A New Zealand pilot has arrived in Indonesia’s capital Jakarta after a year and a half of being held hostage in Indonesia’s Papua region.
Phillip Mehrtens was captured by separatist rebels the West Papua Liberation Army after he landed a commercial plane on 7 February last year.
He was due to pick up 15 construction workers who had been threatened with death while building a health centre in the remote Nduga district.
Pictures show Mr Mehrtens being greeted by New Zealand ambassador to Indonesia Kevin Burnett and Indonesian officials upon arrival at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, Jakarta.
He is meant to be reunited with his family in Indonesia’s capital.
Indonesian police had earlier said the pilot was freed today, 19 months after he was first captured, and he would undergo medical examination.
‘I am so happy’
“Today I finally got out. I am so happy to be back home with my family soon,” Mr Mehrtens said during a news conference in the mining town of Timika. “Thank you to everyone who helped me get out safely and healthy.”
New Zealand foreign minister Winston Peters said: “We are pleased and relieved to confirm that Phillip Mehrtens is safe and well and has been able to talk with his family.
“This news must be an enormous relief for his friends and loved ones.”
The West Papua Liberation Army held Mr Mehrtens in a bid to open independence talks with the Indonesian government.
His passengers were released because they were Papuans, rebel spokesman Sebby Sambom said at the time.
In May last year, a video showed the pilot looking emaciated and holding the banned Morning Star flag – a symbol of Papuan independence – while surrounded by armed rebels.
He said at the time the rebels wanted other countries to be involved in independence talks, and added that if “it does not happen within two months, then they say they will shoot me”.
Source: https://news.sky.com/story/new-zealand-pilot-phillip-mehrtens-held-hostage-by-papuan-fighters-freed-after-19-months-13218819