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NZ pilot freed by Papua rebels after 19 months
The Straits Times
|September 22, 2024
Snatched in 2023, his release comes after diplomatic efforts by Wellington and Jakarta
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New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens has been released from captivity by rebels in Indonesia's restive region of Papua, and was in good health despite his 19-month-long ordeal, the Indonesian and New Zealand authorities said on Sept 21.
Mr Mehrtens, 38, was working for Indonesian airline Susi Air when he was snatched by rebels at Nduga airport in Papua on Feb 7, 2023.
A joint task force of the police and military collected Mr Mehrtens in a village in the Nduga district early on Sept 21, before he was given medical and psychological checks and flown to the Papuan city of Timika, said the unit's head Faizal Ramadhani.
“Today I have been freed. I am very happy that shortly I will be able to go home and meet my family,” Mr Mehrtens told reporters in Timika, speaking in Bahasa Indonesia. “Thank you to everybody who helped me today, so I can get out safely in a healthy condition.”
The New Zealand government said Mr Mehrtens was doing well and had spoken to his family, which had been assisted by Wellington.
Denne historien er fra September 22, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
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