The New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens, who was kidnapped by armed West Papuan rebels in February 2023, has been released, according to Indonesian authorities on Saturday.
Phillip Mehrtens landed with a small plane in a remote mountain area in western Papua at the beginning of February. The rebels stormed the plane, set it on fire and took the pilot hostage.
New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters confirmed on Saturday that Mehrtens was released after 592 days in captivity.
"We are pleased and relieved to confirm that Phillip Mehrtens is safe and has been able to speak with his family", the minister said in a statement.
