Mehrtens spoke at a press conference in Timika, Indonesia thanking those who freed him and saying he was “very happy” to go home, according to AFP. An armed faction of the West Papua National ...

New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens has been released after more than 18 months of captivity by an armed faction in Indonesia's Papua region. Abducted in February 2023 while flying for Susi Air ...

JAKARTA, Indonesia — The New Zealand pilot who ... “We are pleased and relieved to confirm that Phillip Mehrtens is safe and well and has been able to talk with his family,” Peters said ...

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — A New Zealand pilot held hostage for more than a year in the restive Papua region of Indonesia was freed Saturday by separatist rebels. Phillip Mark Mehrtens, a 38-year ...

JAKARTA (Reuters) -New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens has been freed more than 19 months after being kidnapped by armed separatists in Indonesia’s Papua, authorities said on Saturday.

Phillip Mehrtens was taken hostage in 2023 when he ... a "resource-rich former Dutch colony" that is part of modern-day Indonesia, said CNN. His captors had "hoped to press New Zealand to lobby ...

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — A New Zealand pilot held hostage for more than a year in the restive Papua region of Indonesia was freed Saturday by separatist rebels. Phillip Mark Mehrtens, a 38-year ...

New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens has been freed after more than 18 months in captivity in Indonesia’s restive Papua region, according to a statement from Wellington’s foreign minister on Saturday.