New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens (centre), who was snatched by rebels in Indonesia's restive region of Papua in February last year, gestures as he walks with New Zealand Ambassador to Indonesia Kevin Burnett (right) after arriving from Central Papua by an air force plane at Halim Perdanakusuma air base in Jakarta on September 21, 2024. Phillip Mehrtens has been released from captivity by rebels in Indonesia's restive Papua region and is in good health despite the 19-month ordeal, Indonesian and New Zealand authorities said on September 21. - AFP
JAKARTA (Bernama): The Indonesian government has officially handed over New Zealand pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens to New Zealand authorities at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in East Jakarta following his release from captivity.
During a brief handover ceremony last night, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Hadi Tjahjanto presented Mehrtens to New Zealand’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Kevin Burnett.
