Rebel group in Indonesia’s Papua to release kidnapped New Zealand pilot Philip Mehrtens

A rebel group in Indonesia’s eastern region of Papua said on Wednesday (February 7) it will release a New Zealand pilot it has held hostage for a year, after he was kidnapped exactly a year ago when he landed a small commercial plane in a mountainous area. In a series of videos released by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) on Wednesday, pilot Philip Mehrtens is seen addressing his wife Maria and said his kidnappers were “treating me well”, before going on to request for asthma inhalers and an e-book reader. Reuters could not independently verify the date the videos were filmed, but Mehrtens is heard in one of the clips stating it was recorded on December 22, 2023. It was unclear when Mehrtens would be released. Indonesia’s government and military, which have struggled to stamp out the TPNPB separatist movement, had said they were in negotiations to free the pilot. The Sun delivers breaking news, latest gossip and incredible exclusives around the world with hub