New Zealand pilot Philip Mertens released by Papuan rebels after 19 months | Conflict News

Indonesian police said Mehrtens was airlifted from the mountainous Nduga area and appeared to be in good health.

Rebels in Indonesia’s restive East Papua region have released New Zealand pilot Philip Mehrtens after 19 months in captivity.

“Today, we were able to retrieve the pilot, Philip, who is in good health, and we airlifted him from Nduga to Timika,” Faisal Ramadhani, head of a special unit set up to deal with the conflict in Papua, said in a statement on Saturday. Mertens is undergoing further health checks and physiological examination, Indonesian police added.

Mehrtens was kidnapped by West Papua National Liberation Army fighters on February 7 last year after he landed his small commercial plane in the remote mountainous Nduga region.

They said they would only release him if Indonesia granted Papua independence.

The New Zealand government said Mertens was in good condition and had spoken to his family.

“We are pleased and honoured to confirm that Philip Mertens is safe and well and has been able to speak to his family,” Foreign Minister Winston Peters said.

“This news must come as a great comfort to his friends and loved ones.”

Papuans, who are of Melanesian origin, have been fighting for independence from Indonesia since the province was incorporated into the country after a controversial UN-backed referendum.

New Zealand media reported earlier this week that the rebels had proposed new terms for Mehrtens’ release.

Indonesian police said they would hold a news conference on Mehrtens’ release later on Saturday.