It's Been More Than A Year Since Philip Mark Mehrtens Has Been Taken Hostage By The Papuan KKB, Negotiations Have Not Been Successful

Papuan Police Chief Inspector General Pol Mathius Fakhiri. BETWEEN/Evarukdijati

PAPUA - Papua Police Chief Inspector General Mathius Fakhiri admitted that the process of releasing New Zealand hostages who had been involved in the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) since February 7, 2023, is still continuing. The hostage is Susi Air pilot, Philip Mark Mehrtens. A number of parties, both religious leaders and community leaders as well as the Nduga Regional Government, are still trying to help free the hostages. "All parties must be patient because the process continues to process by prioritizing negotiations," said Fakhiri in Jayapura, Antara, Friday, March 1. Negotiations remain put forward by figures including the Acting Regent of Nduga because they still have family relations, so it is hoped that the tender will be released soon. Moreover, the hostages who work as pilots in Susi Air are reported to have asthma. That's why various requests, especially medicines, have been sent and delivered. Various release processes were carried out during a meeting with the New Zealand Ambassador and the New Zealand Police Attach in Jayapura some time ago so that all parties were patient waiting for developments.

"The TNI-Polri continue to try to free the hostages of Philip Mehrtens from KKB prisoners who have so far been charming around the Nduga Regency, Papua Mountains," said Papua Police Chief Inspector General Pol Fakhiri. Philip Mehrtens was held hostage by the KKB led by Egianus Kogoya shortly after his plane was burned at the Paro airport, Nduga Regency, Papua Mountains, in February 2023.