New Zealand Pilot Phillip Mehrtens Released for Humanitarian Reasons

west papua - New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens has been released after 592 days of captivity by separatists in West Papua for humanitarian reasons. He was reportedly suffering from asthma during his captivity.

New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens has been released after 592 days of captivity by separatists in West Papua for humanitarian reasons. Senior Commissioner Bayu Suseno, spokesperson for the Cartenz Peace Operation Task Force, confirmed that Mehrtens, who was initially kidnapped after flying to a remote airstrip, is now in good health. The separatist group had used Mehrtens as a bargaining tool in negotiations for Papuan independence. Mehrtens expressed his relief at being freed and thanked all involved in his release. The New Zealand government, including Foreign Minister Winston Peters, played a key role in securing his freedom.