Prepare Rp5 Billion Ransom, Papua Police Chief Hopes KKB Frees Susi Air Pilots

Papuan Police Chief Inspector General Mathius Fakhiri. BETWEEN/Evarukdijati

JAYAPURA - Papua Police Chief Inspector General Mathius Fakhiri hopes that the Egianus Kogoya group will have good faith to free the SusiAirPhilipMark Merthens pilot who has been held hostage since February 7, 2023.

"Hopefully, with the participation of families, religious leaders and community leaders, Egianus will release the pilot Susi Air who has been held hostage since February 7," said Inspector General Fakhiri as quoted by ANTARA, Saturday, July 1.

Admittedly, currently the security forces are prioritizing negotiations to release Philip's pilot, Egianus Kogoya.

Security forces are ready to negotiate with the Egianus group and fulfill their request as long as they release the hostages.

There are two things that cannot be approved, namely independence and firearms.

"It is impossible for us to grant both requests but for the money (Rp 5 billion) which was also requested to be prepared and handed over to Egianus Kogoya from the New Zealand hostage was released and handed over to the security forces," said the Papuan Police Chief.

The KKB led by Egianus Kogoya has been holding pilot Philip Mark hostage since February 7, shortly after landing his plane in Paro, Nduga Regency, Papua Mountains.

In addition to holding Egianus Kogoya hostage and his group also burned Susi Air's plane.