Papua Rebel Leader Says Captured New Zealand Pilot Won’t Be Released
Jayapura. The leader of a separatist group in Papua has issued a video message declaring that he will not allow the release of New Zealand pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens, who has been held hostage for 14 months.
Egianus Kogoya, sought by Indonesian authorities for alleged involvement in the killings of civilians and attacks on public facilities in Nduga Regency, conveyed in the video that the captured pilot will remain in his custody until death.
“The pilot will remain with me until his demise; that’s our aim. The lives of the Papuan people are invaluable, but many Papuans have sacrificed their lives for the pilot. Therefore, I will not release him,” Egianus said in the video released on Sunday.
Additionally, he accused the Indonesian Military of bombing residential areas and refugee camps in Papua without providing evidence.
Mehrtens also makes an appearance in the video, appealing to authorities to refrain from conducting aerial attacks and using artillery on rebels.
He was captured by rebels who attacked and set fire to a Susi Air small plane upon its landing in Nduga Regency on February 7 last year.
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