Papau rebels hold guns to New Zealand hostage and threaten execution
Papau rebels in Indonesia have released a chilling new video, holding guns to their New Zealand hostage’s heads and threatening execution.
Philip Mark Mehrtens, a 37-year-old father from New Zealand, has been held by a rebel group since February but will be killed in two months if their demands are not met.
Mr Mehrtens, a pilot for an Indonesian aviation company, was kidnapped and taken hostage by the West Papua Liberation Army, as they demand the Papua region of Indonesia be freed from Jakarta.
In a new clip released by the fighters, Mr Mehrtens is seen sitting surrounded by men pointing guns at him.
The rebel leader, thought to be a man named Egianus Kogeya, said Mr Mehrtens would be shot dead in two months if his demands weren’t met.
The New Zealand foreign ministry said it was aware of the new video, and said they are continuing to work on Mr Mehrten’s release from the rebels.
Rebel spokesperson Sebby Sambom previously wrote on Facebook that Mr Mehrtens will be held hostage for negotiations with Indonesia.
They also prevoiusly said Mr Mehrtens would ‘never be released’ unless Papua was made independent.
Indonesia has continued to stress that Papua will remain a part of Indonesia, despite the group’s demands.
The group seized Mr Mehrtens in February after his plane landed in the remote region, before setting fire to it on the runway.
Onboard were five other Papuan nationals, including the area’s regional governor, who the group let go.
Consular support had been provided to the Mehrtens family as they await further news on Mr Mehrtens.
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