Monitoring Desk
ISLAMABAD/PAPUA: Separatist fighters in Indonesia’s Papua region have released a video of a New Zealand pilot Philip Mehrtens who was kidnapped after his plane landed in the remote mountainous province of Nduga in Papua last week.
In the video, Mehrtens could be surrounded by seven West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) fighters who promised to free him if Papua gained independence from Indonesia.
Papua, a former Dutch colony, declared independence in 1961, but Indonesia seized control two years later. Since being brought under Jakarta’s formal control in an UN-supervised vote in 1969, the resource-rich region has been embroiled in a struggle for independence.
Fighters in the video armed with assault rifles
The fighters shown in the video were armed with assault rifles, bows and arrows, and other weapons. TPNPB leader Egianus Kogoya addressed the camera, outlined the group’s demands, and introduced himself.
In the video, Mehrtens, dressed in a blue denim jacket, a matching hat, and long khaki pants, appeared to read a prepared statement in which he repeated the rebels’ demands.
The 37-year-old was kidnapped after his small plane, operated by Susi Air in Indonesia, landed in Nduga. His plane took off from the Mozes Kilangin airport in Central Papua early Tuesday and was scheduled to return a few hours later after picking up five passengers.
However, shortly after landing, insurgents stormed the single-engine plane and kidnapped the Christchurch native.
According to a TPNPB spokesman, Mehrtens has been transferred to a TPNPB stronghold district in a remote area, where he will be used as “leverage” in political negotiations.
According to the group, the pilot is being held because New Zealand collaborates militarily with Indonesia.
The remaining passengers, all of whom were indigenous Papuans, were released. Papuan separatists seeking independence from Indonesia have previously threatened and even attacked aircraft carrying personnel and supplies for Jakarta.
Conflicts between indigenous Papuans and Indonesian authorities are expected, with pro-independence fighters increasing their frequency of attacks since 2018. Papua and West Papua are the two provinces that comprise the region. It is distinct from Papua New Guinea, which gained independence from Australia in 1975.
