New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens freed from captivity in Indonesia's Papua

New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens, who has been freed more than 1-1/2 years after being held hostage by a pro-independence group, is pictured, in Timika, Central Papua province, Indonesia, September 21, 2024. Indonesia's Police/Handout via REUTERS

JAKARTA (Reuters) -New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens has been freed more than 19 months after being kidnapped by armed separatists in Indonesia's Papua, authorities said on Saturday.

Mehrtens was freed and picked up by a joint team in the Nduga area, undergoing health check-ups and a psychological examination in Timika regency, the Indonesian police said in a statement.