As of: February 14, 2024, 8:27 p.m
By: Michel Guddat
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In the grip of the armed rebels of Papua: The pilot Philip Mehrtens addresses his family and the world via video.
Jakarta - A sign of life: Around a year after the kidnapping of the New Zealand pilot in the Indonesian province of Papua, the rebels have released a video of their hostage.
Pale in the face, long hair, disheveled beard – the dire situation in which Philip Mehrtens finds himself is immediately apparent.
And yet he remains positive and sends greetings to his family.
“I'm fine, they treat me well” - Pilot kidnapped by rebels sends signs of life
The video was shot on December 22, 2023 and has now been published.
“Hello, it’s me,” Mehrtens begins, forcing a small smile.
“I'm fine, they treat me well.
I'm trying to stay positive and I hope that you and Jacob are healthy and well and have support." The 38-year-old has been living separately from his wife and child in the hands of the jungle rebels for a year.
Hostage-taking by armed rebels – army liberation operation fails
At the beginning of 2023, separatist rebels set fire to a small airliner at Paro airport, in western Bhutan, and took the pilot hostage.
The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) claimed responsibility for the attack.
For years there have been repeated violent clashes in the fight for independence in the Indonesian-ruled Papua region in the western half of New Guinea.
The New Zealand pilot Philip Mehrtens has been stuck in the Indonesian province of Papua since the beginning of 2023.
© Uncredited
A rescue operation by the Indonesian army against the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement shortly after the hostage-taking also went wrong.
Six dead and 30 missing were reported.
Access to the isolated and rugged highland terrain where Mehrtens is believed to be being held is also proving difficult.
Leader announces release of 38-year-old pilot - timing still unclear
The turnaround came a week ago, as
The Guardian
reports: “In order to protect humanity and human rights, the leadership of the national headquarters of the West Papua Liberation Army will return Philip Mark Mehrtens to his family,” the leader said.
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The timing of his release is still unclear and Mehrtens is not expecting to be able to hug his family again soon.
In a video message he wants an inhaler in case he gets asthma and an e-book reader.
With “as many English-language books as possible”.
(mg)