New Zealand Pilot Held Hostage by Indonesian Separatist Rebels in Papua Province

Indonesian separatist rebels in the restive Papua province have released photos and videos of a New Zealand pilot they took hostage last week. The images show Phillip Mark Mehrtens, a pilot for Indonesian aviation company Susi Air, standing among a group of fighters who are holding guns, bows and arrows and other weapons.

Mehrtens was abducted by independence fighters from the West Papua Liberation Army, the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement, when his single-engine plane landed on a small runway in Paro in remote Nduga district. The group had previously demanded that all incoming flights to Paro Airport be stopped and said the pilot would not be released until their demands were met.

The photos released on Tuesday show Mehrtens standing fully clothed and apparently uninjured. It is unclear if the rebels have made any progress in their negotiations with the Indonesian government.

The Indonesian government has not yet commented on the situation, but the New Zealand government has expressed its concern and is working with the Indonesian government to ensure Mehrtens’ safe release.

The Free Papua Movement has been fighting for independence from Indonesia since the 1960s, and the situation in the region has been tense for years. It is unclear what the outcome of this situation will be, but the international community is watching closely.