KONTAN.CO.ID - JAKARTA. A rebel group in Indonesia's eastern region of Papua on Wednesday ordered its armed faction deep in the jungle to release a New Zealand pilot it has held hostage in the past year. An armed faction of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) led by Egianus Kogoya kidnapped Phillip Mehrtens a year ago when he landed a small commercial plane in Papua's remote and mountainous area of Nduga. The central command of TPNPB said in a statement it will release the New Zealander to "protect humanity and... human rights", without citing any specific timing.
Rebel Group in Indonesia's Papua Orders Release of Kidnapped New Zealand pilot
KONTAN.CO.ID - JAKARTA. A rebel group in Indonesia's eastern region of Papua on Wednesday ordered its armed faction deep in the jungle to release a New Zealand pilot it has held hostage in the past year. An armed faction of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) led by Egianus Kogoya kidnapped Phillip Mehrtens a year ago when he landed a small commercial plane in Papua's remote and mountainous area of Nduga. The central command of TPNPB said in a statement it will release the New Zealander to "protect humanity and... human rights", without citing any specific timing.