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International Business Times
International Business Times
Business
AFP News

Indonesia, NZ Deny Papua Rebel Claim 'Bribe' Paid For Pilot Release

Indonesia Phillip Mehrtens Papua New Zealand Sebby Sambom Winston Peters Jakarta Wellington TPNPB
New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens with Edison Gwijangge, a local Papuan politician, after his release (Credit: AFP)

Jakarta and Wellington denied Monday a claim by rebels in Indonesia's restive region of Papua that a New Zealand pilot was freed from captivity over the weekend after they received payment from a local leader.

Phillip Mehrtens, 38, was released on Saturday by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) insurgent group after 19 months in captivity.

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