KKB Agrees To Free New Zealand Pilots Who Have Been Hosted For More Than A Year

Susi Air Pilot Philip Mark Mahrentens and KKB took him hostage. (ANTARA/HO/Personal Document)

JAKARTA - The Armed Criminal Group (KKB) in Papua has agreed to release New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens from being held hostage.

The KKB led by Egianus Kogoya kidnapped Mehrtens on February 7, 2023 after he landed a small commercial plane in a remote mountainous area in Nduga.

Kogoya has agreed to release Mehrtens and is preparing plans to do so, a spokesperson for Sebby Sambom said.

"Panglima Egianus mengatakan, demi kemanusiaan, kami akan melepas pilot tersebut," katanya dilansir Reuters, Sabtu, 3 Agustus.

Indonesia previously said it prioritized talks with religious and community leaders to release the pilot, because military operations in steep highlands pose a danger.

In February, New Zealand called for Mehrtens' immediate release, a year after his abduction.