Some freedom fighters do not dress like others

New Zealand pilot freed in Indonesia's West Papua

https://www.dw.com/en/new-zealand-pilot-freed-in-indonesias-west-papua/a-70288317

10 hour

A pilot from New Zealand who was being held captive in the restive Indonesian region of West Papua has been freed. Phillip Mehrtens was kidnapped more than a year and a half ago.

https://p.dw.com/p/4kvCX

Mehrtens was kidnapped by insurgents in February last year but freed on SaturdayImage: TPNPB/dpa/picture alliance

Indonesian police on Saturday said ​insurgents in the region of West Papua​ had released New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens from captivity more than a year and a half after he was kidnapped.

Mehrtens had been working for Indonesian airline Susi Air when he was taken by rebels at Nduga airport on February 7 last year.

Mehrtens released in 'good health'

Mehrtens was handed to the Cartenz Peace Taskforce, a joint security force set up by the Indonesian government to deal with separatist groups in Papua, early on Saturday.

Taskforce spokesperson Bayu Suseno said Mehrtens was in "good health."

Indonesian rebels release New Zealand pilot after 19 months

01:39

He was given medical and psychological checks before he was flown to Papua's city of Timika.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters confirmed the news.

"We are pleased and relieved to confirm that Phillip Mehrtens is safe and well and has been able to talk with his family. This news must be an enormous relief for his friends and loved ones," Peters said.