(AFP) — New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens has been launched from captivity by rebels in Indonesia’s restive Papua area and is in good well being regardless of the 19-month ordeal, Indonesian and New Zealand authorities mentioned Saturday.
Mehrtens, 38, was working for Indonesian airline Susi Air when he was snatched by rebels from the West Papua Nationwide Liberation Military (TPNPB) rebel group at Papua’s Nduga airport on February 7 final 12 months.
A joint process pressure of police and navy forces collected Mehrtens in a village of Nduga district early Saturday, earlier than he was given medical and psychological checks and flown to the Papuan metropolis of Timika, mentioned the unit’s head Faizal Ramadhani.
Mehrtens will likely be flown onwards to the capital Jakarta, the unit head mentioned at a press convention, with out detailing the place the pilot would go afterwards.
“Right now I’ve been freed. I’m very completely satisfied that shortly I can go house and meet my household,” Mehrtens instructed reporters in Timika, talking in Indonesian.
“Thanks for everyone who helped me right now, so I can get out safely in a wholesome situation.”
New Zealand Overseas Minister Winston Peters mentioned Mehrtens was “protected and effectively” and had been capable of communicate together with his household.
“This information have to be an infinite reduction for his pals and family members,” Peters added.
Mehrtens was offering very important air hyperlinks and provides to distant communities on the time of his abduction.
The duty pressure launched footage of an emotional Mehrtens taking a cellphone name from his household, with one unidentified beloved one heard saying “dangle in there”.
His launch got here after intense diplomatic efforts by Wellington and Jakarta.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo mentioned Saturday that Jakarta had secured Mehrtens’s freedom via negotiation, not pressure.
“We prioritised the protection of the pilot who was held hostage. It took an extended course of and I admire the authorities,” he instructed reporters.
Rebels had demanded Indonesia recognise Papuan independence in return for his freedom.
A TPNPB spokesman, Sebby Sambom, mentioned one other faction of the insurgent group agreed to a cope with the Indonesian authorities, accusing them of accepting a fee with out offering proof.
The rebels had at one level threatened to kill Mehrtens if talks weren’t forthcoming. The group had mentioned overseas nationals have been targets as a result of their governments had ties with Indonesia.
The Indonesian navy mentioned armed separatists ambushed troopers looking for Mehrtens in April, killing no less than one.
In February 2023, TPNPB rebels set fireplace to a Susi Air aircraft and launched 5 passengers, however held on to Mehrtens.
Throughout his captivity within the Papuan countryside, the New Zealander made sporadic appearances on video, possible underneath duress, to deal with his household and his authorities.
The rebels mentioned he was in good well being all through, however his look modified drastically over time, with the pilot changing into gaunt, long-haired and bearded in proof-of-life movies during which he requested for remedy to help his bronchial asthma.
Mehrtens appeared in good bodily situation in handout pictures revealed by Indonesian authorities on Saturday.
Mehrtens, a father of 1, grew up within the New Zealand metropolis of Christchurch.
Throughout his captivity, he was described by pals as a “variety and delicate man” who was serving to Papuans by flying into distant areas not accessible by street and that many wouldn’t fly to, in line with New Zealand media retailers.
Indonesia maintains a heavy navy presence in resource-rich however underdeveloped Papua to quell the long-running separatist insurgency.
Insurgent assaults within the area have risen lately and flying is the one method to attain distant mountainous areas there.
One other New Zealander pilot, 50-year-old Glen Malcolm Conning, was shot lifeless final month after touchdown within the area with two Indonesian well being staff and two kids, all of whom survived.
Papua’s Melanesian inhabitants shares few cultural connections with the remainder of Indonesia and the navy has lengthy been accused of gross human rights abuses there.
The previous Dutch colony declared independence in 1961, however neighbouring Indonesia took management two years later, promising a referendum. In 1969, a thousand Papuans voted to combine into Indonesia in a UN-backed vote.
Papuan independence activists commonly criticise the vote and name for recent polls, however Jakarta says its sovereignty over Papua is supported by the United Nations.
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