The Susi Air pilot was freed from the Egianus Kogoya-led armed separatist group after being held captive for about a year and a half.
"Pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens was glad when he could again get in touch with his wife and family to inform them about his freedom via video call," Papua Police's public relations bureau chief, Senior Commissioner Ignatius, Benny Ady Prabowo, stated on Saturday.
According to the police's press statement received here, Prabowo explained that making the first contact with his family after regaining his freedom helped bring a sense of calm to Mehrtens.
"Once he heard the voice and saw the face of his beloved one, Mehrtens' tense expression calmed down, and he became happier," he remarked.
Meanwhile, 2024 Operation Peace Cartenz Task Force Chief, Brigadier General Faizal Ramadhani, confirmed to ANTARA that the freed New Zealand pilot will be flown to Jakarta later on Saturday before returning to his home country.
Earlier, the operation task force's public relations bureau chief, Adjunct Senior Commissioner Bayu Suseno, stated that the pilot was freed and picked up by the joint team in Nduga District, Highland Papua.
The New Zealand pilot was immediately flown to Timika, Central Papua. Mehrtens was then promptly taken to a special facility for medical mitigation while ensuring his psychological comfort, according to Suseno.
The New Zealand pilot was abducted by the armed separatist terrorist group on February 7, 2023, shortly after landing in Paro, Nduga District, Highland Papua. The group also torched the Susi Air aircraft that he had piloted.
Related news: NZ pilot freed due to persistence in seeking peaceful resolution: govt
Related news: All hopes pinned on peaceful persuasion to free NZ pilot
Translator: Ardiles Leloltery, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2024
