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Papua rebels release New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens after 19 months in captivity


New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens has been freed by rebels in Indonesia’s Papua region after being kidnapped for 19 months. The pilot was flown out of the mountainous Nduga area and appears to be in good health, according to Indonesian police.

The West Papua National Liberation Army had abducted Mehrtens in February last year, demanding independence for Papua in exchange for his release. The Indigenous people of Papua have long been fighting for independence from Indonesia, which annexed the territory following a controversial UN-backed referendum.

After negotiations, the rebels agreed to release Mehrtens, who is currently undergoing health checks and examinations.

This development comes amid ongoing conflict in the region, where separatist groups have been fighting against Indonesian rule for decades. The release of Mehrtens is seen as a positive step towards resolving the long-standing conflict in Papua.

New Zealand media reported that the rebels had proposed new terms for Mehrtens’s release, leading to his eventual freedom. The pilot’s release is seen as a significant development in the efforts to bring peace and stability to the troubled region.

Indonesian authorities have expressed relief at Mehrtens’s release and are hopeful that it will open the door for further dialogue and progress towards resolving the conflict in Papua.

Source
Photo credit www.aljazeera.com

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