New Zealand pilot, Phillip Mehrtens, who was taken hostage in Papua, Indonesia, more than 18 months ago has been declared “safe” today by Foreign Minister, Winston Peters.
Mr Mehrtens, pictured following his release, was taken an armed faction of the West Papua National Liberation Army while working as a pilot at a remote airstrip in Paro, Papua on 7 February last year.
“We are pleased and relieved to confirm that Phillip Mehrtens is safe and well and has been able to talk with his family. This news must be an enormous relief for his friends and loved ones,” Mr Peters said today.
Indonesian police say 38-year-old Mr Mehrtens was handed over to a joint military-police helicopter crew at a remote village in a central highlands area.
He was flown to the nearby town of Timika, where he reportedly underwent medical and psychological assessments.
Mr Peters said that since Mr Mehrten’s kidnapping, a wide range of Government agencies had been working with Indonesian authorities and others towards securing his release.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, with staff in both Indonesia and Wellington, has led a sustained whole-of-Government effort to secure Phillip Mehrtens’ release, and has also been supporting his family,” said Mr Peters.
The Minister also wished to acknowledge the cooperation and restraint showed by many media outlets in relation to the case.
“The case has taken a toll on the Mehrtens family, who have asked for privacy. We ask media outlets to respect their wishes and therefore we have no further comment at this stage,” he said.
