In February 2023, TPNPB rebels set hearth to a Susi Air airplane and freed 5 passengers, however held Mehrtens.
During his captivity in rural Papua, the New Zealander appeared sporadically on video, probably beneath duress, to talk to his household and authorities.
The rebels stated the person had been in good well being the whole time, however that his look had modified dramatically over time: in life-affirming movies during which he requested for bronchial asthma treatment, the pilot had develop into emaciated, with lengthy hair and a beard.
In photos launched by Indonesian authorities on Saturday, Mehrtens appeared in good bodily situation.
“GENTLEMAN”
Mehrtens, a father of 1, grew up within the New Zealand metropolis of Christchurch.
During his captivity, buddies described him as a “variety and caring man” who helped Papuans by flying to distant areas not accessible by land and the place many would by no means fly, in line with New Zealand media stories.
Indonesia maintains a large navy presence in resource-rich however underdeveloped Papua to quell a long-running separatist insurgency.
Rebel assaults within the area have elevated lately, and air journey is the one solution to attain the distant mountainous areas.
Another New Zealand pilot, Glen Malcolm Conning, 50, was shot lifeless final month after touchdown within the area with two Indonesian well being employees and two youngsters, all of whom survived.
Papua’s Melanesian inhabitants has few cultural ties to the remainder of Indonesia, and the navy has lengthy been accused of significant human rights abuses.
The former Dutch colony declared independence in 1961, however neighboring Indonesia took management two years later, promising a referendum. In 1969, 1,000 Papuans voted to combine into Indonesia in a UN-backed vote.
Papuan independence activists often criticize the vote and name for brand spanking new elections, however Jakarta says its sovereignty over Papua is backed by the United Nations.
