New Zealand pilot freed after 19 months

By Agence France-Presse

Sep 22, 2024 12:09 am

JAKARTA — New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens has been released from his 19-monthlong captivity by rebels in Indonesia's restive Papua region and is in good health despite the ordeal, authorities from both countries said on Saturday.

Mehrtens, 38, was working for Indonesian airline Susi Air when he was snatched by rebels from the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) insurgent group at Papua's Nduga airport on Feb. 7, 2023.

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