Indonesian Officials Seek Release of Captured Airline Pilot | Aviation International News

Indonesian Officials Seek Release of Captured Airline Pilot

Papuan independence rebels have threatened to kill Susi Air pilot Philip Merthens if Indonesia will not recognize the territory's independence.

Susi Air pilot Philip Mehrtens stands amongst Papua rebels who kidnapped him — Papua rebels kidnapped Susi Air pilot Philip Mehrtens (center in blue denim jacket) and are threatening to kill him. (Image: Indonesia National Police)

By Jennifer Meszaros • Contributor - Asia

February 21, 2023

Indonesian authorities remain locked in negotiations with Papuan rebels following the hostage-taking of New Zealand commercial pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens on February 7. Mehrtens was operating a Susi Air Pilatus PC-6 Porter charter flight with five passengers on board when he was overcome by the West Papua Liberation Army (TPNPB) at Paro sub-district airfield in highland Papua’s remote and militarized Nduga District. All the passengers were reportedly released.

The TBNPB is referred to as the Kelompok Kriminal Bersenjata (KKB) in Indonesia and is an offshoot of the separatist group, the Organisasi Papua Merdeka or Free Papua Movement, which was officially established in 1965. The region has been the center of insurgency since the early 1960s after the U.S.-facilitated New York Agreement transferred the former Dutch colony to the United Nations, and then later to Indonesia.

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