CoveragePost
September 18, 2024
RNZ Pacific Pro-independence fighters in the Indonesian-ruled West Papua region have proposed the terms of release for the New Zealand pilot taken hostage almost 18 months ago. The armed faction of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) kidnapped Phillip Merhtens, a 38-year-old pilot working for the Indonesian internal feeder airline Susi Air, in February ... <a title="West Papuan fighters who kidnapped Kiwi pilot propose terms of release" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/09/18/west-papuan-fighters-who-kidnapped-kiwi-pilot-propose-terms-of-release/" aria-label="Read more about West Papuan fighters who kidnapped Kiwi pilot propose terms of release">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 9, 2024
By Victor Mambor in Jayapura and Pizaro Gozali Idrus in Jakarta Indonesian human rights groups have called for an independent investigation into the death of a New Zealand helicopter pilot in a remote part of Papua province earlier this week. The pilot, identified as Glen Malcolm Conning, was reportedly killed by an armed group shortly ... <a title="Indonesian human rights groups seek independent probe of NZ pilot’s death in Papua" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/08/09/indonesian-human-rights-groups-seek-independent-probe-of-nz-pilots-death-in-papua/" aria-label="Read more about Indonesian human rights groups seek independent probe of NZ pilot’s death in Papua">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
June 20, 2024
By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist All parties, including West Papuan pro-independence fighters who took Phillip Mehrtens hostage, want the New Zealand pilot released but freeing him is “complicated”. In February 2023, Mehrtens, a husband and father from Christchurch, was working for Indonesian airline, Susi Air, when he landed his small Pilatus plane on a ... <a title="No breakthrough in hostage Kiwi pilot talks held by West Papuan rebels" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/06/20/no-breakthrough-in-hostage-kiwi-pilot-talks-held-by-west-papuan-rebels/" aria-label="Read more about No breakthrough in hostage Kiwi pilot talks held by West Papuan rebels">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
April 13, 2024
RNZ Pacific More videos appear to have been released by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) showing New Zealand hostage Phillip Mehrtens. The New Zealander was taken hostage more than a year ago on February 7 in Paro in the highlands of the Indonesian-ruled region of West Papua while providing vital air links and ... <a title="More videos of Kiwi hostage in Papua – warning over Indonesian air strikes" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/04/13/more-videos-of-kiwi-hostage-in-papua-warning-over-indonesian-air-strikes/" aria-label="Read more about More videos of Kiwi hostage in Papua – warning over Indonesian air strikes">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
April 2, 2024
Asia Pacific Report Indonesia’s military regional command in Papua has denied claims made by a pro-independence West Papuan group that abducted New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens more than a year ago that the army had staged a bombing attack, The Jakarta Post reports. Responding to a claim by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) ... <a title="Indonesian military deny bombing Papua district in bid to free NZ pilot" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/04/02/indonesian-military-deny-bombing-papua-district-in-bid-to-free-nz-pilot/" aria-label="Read more about Indonesian military deny bombing Papua district in bid to free NZ pilot">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 3, 2024
Jubi News Negotiations for the release of New Zealand pilot Phillip Mark Mehrtens, who has been held captive by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) for more than a year, has been hindered by customary issues and “interference of other parties”, say the Indonesian police. Senior Commander Faizal Ramadhani, head of the Cartenz Peace ... <a title="Talks over NZ hostage pilot release stalled by ‘third party’, say police" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/03/03/talks-over-nz-hostage-pilot-release-stalled-by-third-party-say-police/" aria-label="Read more about Talks over NZ hostage pilot release stalled by ‘third party’, say police">Read more</a>
