Durian. The military wing of Free Papua Organisation (TPNPB-OPM) on Friday through its spokesperson Sebby Sambom has sent to media new videos and stills, showing the latest condiction of Susi Air’s pilot Captain Philips Mark Merthens, who has been hostage by the group for one month.
In one of the videos, Merthens, a New Zealander, read out the group’s call for all of foreign pilots to stop flying over Papua’s skies until Papua is free, separated from Indonesia.
He also explained that he is in good condition and the group provides him food and clothes.
Merthens was kidnapped from an airport in Nduga regency, Papua, after his airplane that just landed there, was burned by the group.
The group is called by Indonesian authorities as the criminal armed group.
According to Merthens when read out the group’s demand, he will be released only when western part of Papua Island that belongs to Indonesia has its independence.
Susi Air is an Indonesia’s private air carrier, owned by former Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti. The airline provides light flight services to remote parts of Indonesia, including in Papua, mostly to help logistic supply.
Indonesia’s security personnel have been deployed to search and rescue Merthens and the government of Indonesia has stated that the rescue operation is only prioritizing the hostage’s safety.
