Papua rebels holding Susi Air pilot prepared to drop key demand

New Zealand pilot Philip Mehrtens read a statement prepared by a group of separatists in Papua on March 10, 2023. - The Jakarta Post/Twitter

JAKARTA (The Jakarta Post/Asia News Network): Separatist rebels in Papua region who are holding a New Zealand pilot hostage are prepared to drop a demand that Jakarta recognise the independence of the area before they could consider freeing him, a rebel spokesperson said on Thursday (April 6).

Susi Air pilot Phillip Mehrtens was abducted by the West Papua Liberation Army (TPNPB) in the Papuan highlands area of Nduga two months ago after a routine flight to the area.