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The Latest Breaking News from Phillip Mehrtens

Aussie duo nabbed over weapons supply to foreign rebels

A two-year investigation has resulted in two Australian men facing allegations of trafficking firearms and ammunition to a violent paramilitary group overseas.

AAP · Sep 13, 2025

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

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.

International Business Times · Sep 23, 2024

The flight to freedom of Phillip Mehrtens, the NZ pilot who survived 594 days in captivity

In February 2023 his plane was stormed by independence fighters in West Papua who said he may never be released and threatened to kill him. Somehow, Mehrtens survived and is now a free man

The Guardian - AU · Sep 23, 2024

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New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens freed 19 months after being kidnapped by armed Indonesia separatists

Pilot speaks tearfully to family over phone but in good spirits at press conference

Evening Standard · Sep 21, 2024

New Zealand Pilot Freed After 18 Months In Papua Captivity

New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens released after 18-month captivity in Papua region. Kidnapped by armed group seeking secession support.

New Zealand pilot held captive in West Papua for 19 months ‘very happy’ after being freed

Phillip Mehrtens says he is looking forward to being reunited with family after release by rebels in the region

The Guardian - UK · Sep 21, 2024

New Zealand Pilot Freed In Indonesia After 19 Months In Rebel Captivity

New Zealand pilot 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 Saturday.

International Business Times · Sep 21, 2024

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Separatist rebels free New Zealand pilot after 19 months in Indonesia’s Papua

Phillip Mark Mehrtens picked up in good health, officials say

The Independent UK · Sep 21, 2024

New Zealand Pilot Freed After 18 Months In Indonesian Captivity

New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens released after 18 months of captivity in Papua, Indonesia. Efforts made to secure his release through engagement with va...

West Papua rebels propose terms for release of New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens

Announcement comes hours after rebels said the Indonesian army had bombed its headquarters where Mehrtens is being kept

The Guardian - AU · Sep 17, 2024

Rebels in Indonesia’s Papua kill New Zealand pilot in second plane attack

Glen Malcolm Conning was shot dead in a remote central village, 19 months after another pilot was taken captive.

Al Jazeera · Aug 6, 2024

Pilot Taken Hostage By West Guinea Rebels Sends Heartbreaking Video Message For Family

The pilot was working to provide air links and supplies to remote communities at the time of his capture.

International Business Times UK · Feb 14, 2024

West Papua rebels release video of kidnapped former Jetstar pilot

Phillip Mehrtens requests ebook reader with ‘as many English books as possible’ as well as saying he is being treated well

The Guardian - AU · Feb 14, 2024

New Zealand calls on Papua rebels to release pilot kidnapped a year ago

Phillip Mehrtens, who was flying for Susi Air, was taken captive from an airstrip in the troubled Indonesian province.

Al Jazeera · Feb 7, 2024

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The Guardian - AU · Feb 7, 2024

New Zealand pilot kidnapped a year ago in West Papua will be freed, rebel group says

Separatist fighters who seized Phillip Mehrtens say he will be released to protect humanity and safeguard human rights, but did not say when

Al Jazeera · Jan 1, 2024

Best of 2023: Editor’s picks from the Asia Pacific

From the continuing crisis in Myanmar to the US’s expanding military ties, these are Al Jazeera’s highlights.

The Guardian - AU · Sep 25, 2023

‘The kids had all been tortured’: Indonesian military accused of targeting children in West Papua

Exclusive: Australia is seeking to strengthen ties with Indonesia, despite new reports of brutality by the military — including the torture and murder of civilians — in West Papua

The Conversation · Jun 9, 2023

I was involved in talks to free a kidnapped Kiwi pilot in West Papua. With negotiations stalled, what happens now?

New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens has now been held hostage in West Papua for four months. Stalled attempts to negotiate his release, and an unsuccessful Indonesian military rescue attempt, suggest a confused picture behind the scenes.

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Al Jazeera · Jun 5, 2023

New Zealand pilot kidnapping exposes Indonesia’s Papua ‘hotspot’

The incident in a remote highlands region has drawn renewed attention to one of the world’s least-known conflicts.

Reuters · May 26, 2023

Separatists in Indonesia's Papua threaten to shoot Kiwi hostage if denied talks

Rebels in Indonesia's Papua region threatened to shoot a New Zealand pilot they took hostage in February if countries do not comply with their demand to start independence talks within two months, a new video released by the group on Friday showed.

ABC News · Apr 26, 2023

New video shows NZ pilot Phillip Mehrtens alive and well nearly three months after being kidnapped by West Papua separatists

A New Zealand pilot being held hostage in Indonesia's remote Papua region says the Indonesian Army has been dropping bombs in the area where a separatist group is holding him.

The New Daily · Apr 16, 2023

Papua rebels claim to have killed nine army staff over NZ pilot’s release delay

Separatist rebels in Indonesia's Papua region claim to have killed nine army personnel, after Jakarta did not respond to a negotiations call.

Reuters · Apr 6, 2023

Rebels holding NZ pilot in Indonesia's Papua prepared to drop key demand

Separatist rebels in Indonesia's 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.

Reuters · Mar 10, 2023

Rebels in Indonesia's Papua call in NZ hostage video for UN mediation

A New Zealand pilot who was taken hostage last month by rebels in Indonesia's Papua region has appeared in videos put out by separatists calling for the United Nations to mediate in the conflict in the resource-rich region.

Al Jazeera · Feb 15, 2023

West Papua rebels release photos of captured New Zealand pilot

Phillip Mehrtens was taken hostage last week after landing his small commercial plane in the Papuan highlands.

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