Papua Separatists Agree to Release Kidnapped NZ Pilot

A separatist group in Papua has agreed to release New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens, held captive for over a year. The West Papua National Liberation Army, led by Egianus Kogoya, kidnapped Mehrtens in February 2023. The group has called for the United Nations to mediate talks towards Papua's independence.

A separatist group in Indonesia's eastern Papua region will release New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens, who has been held captive for over a year, a spokesperson announced on Saturday. The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), led by Egianus Kogoya, kidnapped Mehrtens on February 7, 2023, after his plane landed in Nduga.

Spokesperson Sebby Sambom disclosed that Kogoya has agreed to release Mehrtens for humanitarian reasons and is planning the details of the release, which could take up to two months. Sambom did not elaborate on the timeframe.

Indonesia's military has not commented on the statement. The government has focused on negotiating with religious and community leaders to secure Mehrtens's release, avoiding military operations in the area's challenging terrain.

New Zealand renewed its call in February for Mehrtens's immediate release, a year after his abduction. The separatist group has released videos showing Mehrtens, appealing to the United Nations for dialogue on Papua's independence. One video depicted him holding the banned Morning Star flag, encircled by Papuan fighters.

Violence has escalated in Papua's resource-rich western half as independence fighters secure more advanced weaponry, resulting in more frequent and deadly confrontations.

(With inputs from agencies.)