Phillip Mehrtens' hostage-takers claim bribe was paid to secure release
The West Papua National Liberation Army held the New Zealand pilot for more than 19 months.
New Zealand pilot Philip Mehrtens freed by Papua rebels
A New Zealand pilot, kidnapped in Indonesia’s Papua region over a year ago, has been released. Phillip Mark Mehrtens, 38, who worked for Susi Air, was abducted from a remote airport in February 2023.
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New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens freed after more than 18 months in captivity in Indonesia’s Papua, foreign minister says
New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens has been freed after more than 18 months in captivity in Indonesia’s restive Papua region, ...
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New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens released by Indonesian rebels after being abducted more than 19 months ago
A New Zealand pilot has been freed from captivity after being abducted early last year upon landing at a remote Indonesian airport, where separatist rebels set his small plane on fire. Phillip ...