The West Papua Liberation Army released the first photos of Philip Mehrtens, a New Zealand pilot who was captured last week and demanded independence from Indonesia for his release.
Rebel leader Egianus Kogoya warned the Indonesian government against using force to flee him since it may put him in danger but the government said that taking civilians hostage for any reason was unacceptable and doesn’t rule out other efforts if persuasion fails.
“I took him hostage for Papua independence, not for food or drinks,” rebel leader Egianus said in the video with the man standing next to him. “He will be safe with me as long as Indonesia does not use its arms, either from the air or on the ground”
Rebel spokesperson Sebby Sambom released a video and photos to the media on Tuesday that showed a man who is believed to be Phillip standing in the forest surrounded by a group of people armed with rifles, spears as well as bows and arrows.
Philip was taken hostage after landing a small commercial plane in the remote mountainous region of Nduga last week to pick up 15 construction workers who had been building a clinic in Paro.
The rebels had threatened to kill 15 construction workers forcing them to take refuge with church leaders.
