New Zealand Pilot Phillip Mehrtens Freed After 19 Months

New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens has been freed after being kidnapped for more than 19 months. He was taken by armed separatists in Indonesia's Papua region. 

Phillip Mehrtens was kidnapped in February 2023 after landing a small commercial plane in the remote and mountainous area of Nduga. The West Papua National Liberation Army, a group seeking independence for West Papua, was responsible for the kidnapping.

[Mehrtens was kidnapped by independence fighters after landing a small plane in Papua. (AP PHOTO)]

On the day of his release, Mehrtens was found in the Nduga area by a joint team. He underwent health check-ups and a psychological examination in Timika regency, as reported by the Indonesian police. 

This was a critical step to ensure his well-being after such a long ordeal.

Indonesian police spokesman Bayu Suseno stated that Mehrtens would be flown to Jakarta in an air force plane. 

He is expected to arrive at Halim Perdanakusuma airbase in east Jakarta around 8 PM local time. This journey marks the end of a long and difficult chapter for Mehrtens.

Earlier, Indonesia's Metro TV showed an emotional moment when Mehrtens spoke with his family by phone. 

He expressed his happiness and relief. Later, he appeared at a press conference, where he seemed to be in good spirits, despite losing some weight during his captivity.

Lieutenant General Bambang Trisnohadi from the Indonesian military shared that Mehrtens did not show signs of post-traumatic stress. This news brings comfort, knowing that he is recovering well. The focus is now on his health and bringing him back to New Zealand safely.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon shared his gratitude on social media. He thanked everyone in both Indonesia and New Zealand who helped secure the release of Mehrtens. 

“My appreciation to all those in Indonesia and New Zealand who have supported this positive outcome for Phillip and his family,” Luxon wrote.

NZ Foreign Minister Winston Peters expressed joy for Mehrtens’ family. 

He stated, “His family will be absolutely over the moon.” Peters emphasized that many New Zealand government agencies had been working closely with Indonesian authorities to achieve this positive outcome.

During the negotiations for Mehrtens’ release, Indonesia's President Joko Widodo said that the pilot’s welfare was the top priority. He emphasized that the long negotiation process focused on ensuring the pilot's safety. 

"Through the long process of negotiation, with patience not to do it repressively, our priority has been the safety of the pilot,” Widodo said.

Sadly, the region has seen violence before. In August, another New Zealand pilot, Glen Malcolm Conning, was killed by separatist rebels after landing his helicopter in a remote area. This tragedy highlighted the dangers pilots face in Papua.

The release of Phillip Mehrtens is a hopeful sign for families of those affected by conflict in the region. It shows that dialogue and negotiation can lead to positive outcomes, even after long periods of uncertainty.

As Mehrtens prepares to return home, the support from both countries shines through. The collaborative efforts from various agencies have made this possible. His family and friends are eagerly waiting for his arrival. They are excited to welcome him back after such a long and difficult time apart.