New Zealand pilot Philip Mehrtens was photographed with his rebel captors in Indonesia's Papua region in February 2023. Photo: Supplied/TPNPB
A separatist group in Indonesia's easternmost region of Papua has agreed to free New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens from more than a year in captivity since kidnapping him, according to an audio message issued by a spokesperson on Saturday.
An armed faction of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), led by Egianus Kogoya, kidnapped Mehrtens on 7 February 2023 after he landed a small commercial plane in the remote, mountainous area of Nduga.
Kogoya has agreed to release Mehrtens and is readying a plan to do so, the spokesperson, Sebby Sambom, said, adding that it could take up to two months.
"Commander Egianus has said humbly, for the sake of humanity, we will release the pilot," he said, but gave no reason for the timeframe.
Indonesia's military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Indonesia has previously said it had prioritised talks with religious and community leaders to free the pilot, as a military operation in the rugged highland area presented dangers.
In February, New Zealand called for the immediate release of Mehrtens, a year after his kidnapping.
The group has released videos of the pilot several times, asking the United Nations to mediate talks towards Papua's independence. One of them showed him holding the banned Morning Star flag and surrounded by Papuan fighters.
A low-level but increasingly deadly battle for independence has raged in the resource-rich western half of Papua, where attacks by independence fighters have grown deadlier and more frequent as they have procured more sophisticated weapons.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was "aware of the reports and speculation online" and had no further comment to make at this time.
"Phillip Mehrtens' safety and wellbeing remains our top priority and we continue to do everything we can to secure a peaceful resolution and Phillip's safe release, including working closely with the Indonesian authorities and deploying New Zealand consular staff.
"We are also supporting Phillip's family, both here in New Zealand and in Indonesia."
- Reuters with RNZ