New Zealand pilot freed 19 months after being kidnapped in Indonesia
3 months ago

New Zealand pilot freed 19 months after being kidnapped in Indonesia

India Today  

New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens has been freed more than 19 months after being kidnapped by armed separatists in Indonesia's Papua, authorities said on Saturday. "His family will be absolutely over the moon," said New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in a press conference in Auckland. A range of New Zealand government agencies had been working with Indonesian authorities and others towards securing Mehrtens' release, Peters said earlier in a statement. In August, another New Zealand pilot, Glen Malcolm Conning, was killed by separatist rebels in Papua after landing his helicopter in a remote area, authorities said at the time.

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History of this topic

A New Zealand pilot is freed after 19 months in rebel captivity in Indonesia’s Papua region
3 months ago

A New Zealand pilot is freed after 19 months in rebel captivity in Indonesia’s Papua region

Associated Press  

JAKARTA, Indonesia — A New Zealand pilot held hostage for more than a year in the restive Papua region of Indonesia was freed Saturday by separatist rebels. A New Zealand pilot who’s been held hostage for more than a year in the restive Papua region has been freed by separatist rebels, Indonesian authorities said Saturday. In this photo released by …

Gunmen kill New Zealand helicopter pilot in another attack in Indonesia’s restive Papua region
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Gunmen kill New Zealand helicopter pilot in another attack in Indonesia’s restive Papua region

Associated Press  

JAYAPURA, Indonesia — Gunmen stormed a helicopter and killed its New Zealand pilot shortly after it landed in Indonesia’s restive Papua region on Monday, and they released two health workers and two children it was carrying, police said. Glen Malcolm Conning, a pilot for Indonesian aviation company PT Intan Angkasa Air Service, was shot to death by gunmen allegedly with …

Armed rebels holding NZ pilot hostage for 18 months again pledge to release him
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Armed rebels holding NZ pilot hostage for 18 months again pledge to release him

ABC  

A spokesperson for a separatist group holding a New Zealand pilot hostage in Indonesia's Papua region says they plan to release him. West Papua rebel group orders armed faction to release kidnapped NZ pilot Photo shows A pilot stands beside heavily-armed rebels in Papua. A rebel group in Indonesia's eastern region of Papua orders its armed faction deep in the …

Indonesian rebels say they’re ready to free a New Zealand pilot taken hostage a year ago
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Indonesian rebels say they’re ready to free a New Zealand pilot taken hostage a year ago

Associated Press  

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Separatist rebels in Indonesia’s restive Papua region expressed their readiness Wednesday to release a New Zealand pilot who was taken hostage a year ago. But Terianus Satto, a leader of the Free Papua Movement’s armed wing, said in a Wednesday statement that the West Papua Liberation Army, known as TPNPB, was willing to let Mehrtens go and …

New Zealand appeals for release of pilot taken hostage last year by West Papua rebels
10 months, 2 weeks ago

New Zealand appeals for release of pilot taken hostage last year by West Papua rebels

The Independent  

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Kidnapped NZ pilot: Indonesian army attacks put him at risk
1 year, 7 months ago

Kidnapped NZ pilot: Indonesian army attacks put him at risk

The Independent  

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Rebels ‘ambush and kill 13 soldiers’ looking for kidnapped New Zealand pilot in Indonesia
1 year, 8 months ago

Rebels ‘ambush and kill 13 soldiers’ looking for kidnapped New Zealand pilot in Indonesia

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Separatist gunmen in Indonesia claimed …

Papua rebels ambush Indonesian troops looking for kidnapped pilot
1 year, 8 months ago

Papua rebels ambush Indonesian troops looking for kidnapped pilot

Al Jazeera  

Armed separatists say they attacked soldiers as army was searching for a captured New Zealand pilot. Separatists in Indonesia’s Papua region say they have killed nine soldiers in an ambush, but the military says one soldier was killed during search operations to find a kidnapped New Zealand pilot. Indonesian military spokesman Julius Widjojono said on Sunday that soldiers were dispersed …

Rebel gunmen attack Indonesian troops searching for New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens, leaving dozens missing
1 year, 8 months ago

Rebel gunmen attack Indonesian troops searching for New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens, leaving dozens missing

ABC  

At least six people are dead and 30 more missing after separatist gunmen attacked Indonesian army troops deployed to rescue a New Zealand pilot taken hostage in Papua, according to reports. Key points: Officials say the search for New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens will use "maximum force" Troops were attacked while combing an area close to his location Both the …

New Zealand pilot held hostage by Papua rebels in Indonesia appears in videos calling for UN mediation
1 year, 9 months ago

New Zealand pilot held hostage by Papua rebels in Indonesia appears in videos calling for UN mediation

The Independent  

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Indonesia military ready for operation to free New Zealand pilot hostage Philip Mehrtens, if talks fail
1 year, 10 months ago

Indonesia military ready for operation to free New Zealand pilot hostage Philip Mehrtens, if talks fail

ABC  

An Indonesian military commander in its restive Papua region said a "law enforcement operation" was being prepared to free a New Zealand pilot held hostage by separatists, but only as a last resort if negotiations failed. Key points: Details were not provided on the operation, but military and intelligence officials are said to be involved The military commander said New …

Philip Mehrtens: Papuan separatists armed with bows and arrows surround captured New Zealand pilot in video
1 year, 10 months ago

Philip Mehrtens: Papuan separatists armed with bows and arrows surround captured New Zealand pilot in video

The Independent  

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Separatist rebels in Papua say kidnapped NZ pilot is safe
1 year, 10 months ago

Separatist rebels in Papua say kidnapped NZ pilot is safe

Associated Press  

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Separatist rebels in Indonesia’s restive Papua province released photos and videos Tuesday of a man they said is the pilot from New Zealand whom they took hostage last week. Sitting in the plane’s cockpit, Kogoya said he took the pilot hostage as part of their struggle “to free Papua” from Indonesia. “He will be safe with me …

Papua independence fighters release images of New Zealand pilot hostage Philip Mehrtens
1 year, 10 months ago

Papua independence fighters release images of New Zealand pilot hostage Philip Mehrtens

ABC  

Independence fighters in Indonesia's Papua region have released videos and photos of a New Zealand pilot they are holding hostage, declaring them proof that he is still alive and well. Key points: New Zealand pilot Philip Mehrtens was taken hostage by West Papuan rebels last week after he landed a plane at a remote airstrip The Free Papua Organisation says …

West Papua rebels release photos of captured New Zealand pilot
1 year, 10 months ago

West Papua rebels release photos of captured New Zealand pilot

Al Jazeera  

Phillip Mehrtens was taken hostage last week after landing his small commercial plane in the Papuan highlands. Independence fighters in Indonesia’s Papua province have released the first photos and videos of a man they say is the New Zealand pilot they took hostage last week. The West Papua Liberation Army captured Phillip Mehrtens after he landed his small commercial plane …

New Zealand pilot abducted in Papua 'looked after' in new location as separatists issue demands
1 year, 10 months ago

New Zealand pilot abducted in Papua 'looked after' in new location as separatists issue demands

The Telegraph  

Rebels who abducted a New Zealand pilot are moving him deeper into the jungle as the Indonesian military steps up its search in a remote area of land at the centre of a decades-long war for independence. Philip Mehrtens had been given food and healthcare since being taken by soldiers of the West Papua National Liberation Army, representatives for the …

West Papuan separatist group makes demands to Australia, New Zealand after kidnapping Kiwi pilot Philip Mehrtens, burning plane
1 year, 10 months ago

West Papuan separatist group makes demands to Australia, New Zealand after kidnapping Kiwi pilot Philip Mehrtens, burning plane

ABC  

A West Papuan separatist group who kidnapped a New Zealand pilot is demanding Australia and New Zealand sever military ties with Indonesia. Key points: The West Papua National Liberation Army says the attack was part of its strategy to reclaim independence from Indonesia New Zealand pilot Captain Philip Mehrtens was captured by members of the group on Tuesday The group …

New Zealand pilot taken hostage by separatist fighters in Indonesia’s Papua region
1 year, 10 months ago

New Zealand pilot taken hostage by separatist fighters in Indonesia’s Papua region

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A New Zealand pilot has …

New Zealand pilot taken hostage by West Papua separatist group after plane set alight
1 year, 10 months ago

New Zealand pilot taken hostage by West Papua separatist group after plane set alight

ABC  

Separatist fighters in Indonesia's Papua region have taken a New Zealand pilot hostage after setting a small commercial plane alight when it landed in a remote highland area on Tuesday. Key points: Military personnel are searching for the pilot and five passengers The West Papua National Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for the attack The rebel group say it will …

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