Foreign Minister, Winston Peters has thanked Indonesian authorities for their assistance in ensuring the safe release of kidnapped kiwi pilot, Phillip Mehrtens, who was freed yesterday after more than 19 months.
Mr Mehrtens is now with family members in Jakarta, and has been able to provide more information about the time leading up to his release, said Mr Peters.
“Mr Mehrtens’ release involved a wide range of people and organisations, and the New Zealand Government wishes to acknowledge the Papuan community figures, who with the help of the Indonesian Government, assisted in ensuring Phillip’s safe release,” he said.
“We are also thankful to the Indonesian authorities in Timika for looking after Phillip yesterday. They enabled him to call his family and did all they could to ensure his comfort with food and water, a shower and a change of clothes.”
Yesterday evening, Indonesian authorities flew Mr Mehrtens to Halim Airforce base in Jakarta, where he was met off the plane by New Zealand’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Kevin Burnett.
“Mr Mehrtens had a private reunion with his immediate family last night. After 600 days he also got to spend his first night sleeping in a bed,” said the Foreign Minister.
“He has this morning been checked by an Australian Embassy doctor and is in remarkably good shape given his long and arduous ordeal.
“Mr Mehrtens will now need time and space to adjust to life after captivity, so we ask you all to please respect his and his family’s privacy,” Mr Peters said.
