New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens was freed after being held hostage for 19 months by the West Papua National Liberation Army (WPNLA). The WPNLA says a bribe was paid for his release. Mehrtens was taken in February 2023 after he landed a small plane in Indonesia’s Papua region. He is now in good health and has reunited with his family in Jakarta.
Sebby Sambom, a spokesperson for the WPNLA, stated they do not regret taking Mehrtens hostage, saying it was part of their fight for an independent Papua. He claimed Mehrtens was well-treated during his captivity. The WPNLA used him to raise awareness for their cause, releasing videos of him wearing pro-independence T-shirts and asking for peace, as he expressed concern over military activities.
Sambom also mentioned that the leader who took Mehrtens, Egianus Kogoya, was bribed by a local politician in Nduga province, creating issues with the release conditions.
Mehrtens, seen walking with New Zealand’s Ambassador to Indonesia Kevin Burnett after his release, was thanked by his family for the efforts made by the New Zealand and Indonesian governments, as well as the captors for keeping him safe. They appreciated receiving messages from him during his captivity that brought them hope.
Andreas Harsono from Human Rights Watch noted that Mehrtens was released peacefully, unlike a previous failed rescue attempt that involved violence. He highlighted that his captors took care of him, treating him with extreme caution.
New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters expressed relief over Mehrtens’ release after a long effort. He praised the media for not announcing sensitive information during the negotiation process. While Mehrtens’ story has gained international attention, West Papuans continue to face challenges, and Pacific leaders plan to address human rights issues in West Papua with Indonesia in the coming year.
