About a week after the kidnapping of a New Zealand pilot in the Indonesian province of Papua, the rebels responsible published photos of their hostage. The kidnapped Philip Mehrtens can be seen in the photos in good health and in the middle of the jungle, surrounded by indigenous peoples, some of whom are heavily armed.
The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), the armed wing of the local separatist movement, is demanding: “We don’t want to just negotiate with the Indonesian government. Any negotiation must be brokered by the international community.” In the released video, the rebels threatened to kill the pilot if security forces tried to free him.
negotiations planned
The Indonesian military confirmed that the hostage was Philip Mehrtens, but at the same time ruled out that it would not comply with the rebels’ demands for independence. “Your demands are absurd. We hope they will see their wrong path and return to the bosom of the Indonesian Republic,” said army spokesman Herman Taryaman. However, talks with the kidnappers were announced: “We hope to be able to contact the kidnappers with the help of the local government and indigenous community leaders,” regional police spokesman Benny Adi Prabowo said on Thursday.
A troubled region for years
The Indonesian-administered region of Papua in the western half of New Guinea has been the scene of separatist insurgencies since the 1960s. The province was annexed by Indonesia in 1969 by the United Nations. For years there have been repeated violent conflicts in the resource-rich region. The east of the island north of Australia is the independent country of Papua New Guinea.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
