New Zealand Pilot Freed After 19 Months in Captivity in Indonesia's West Papua
New Zealand Pilot Freed After 19 Months in Captivity in Indonesia's West Papua
Phillip Mehrtens**, a New Zealand pilot who was kidnapped in West Papua, has been freed after more than 19 months in captivity. He was working for Indonesian airline Susi Air when he was taken by rebels at Nduga airport. His release followed intense diplomatic efforts by Wellington and Jakarta. Mehrtens is said to be in good health and has been reunited with his family in New Zealand.