The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that Susi Air pilot Philip Mehrtens, who was kidnapped by the Free Papua Movement (OPM), communicated with his family ahead of Christmas 2023.
The statement was made through an official release from the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs received by CNNIndonesia.com on Wednesday (7/2).
"We know that before Christmas, Philip was able to contact several friends and family members to assure them that he was still alive and well," said New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters in the release.
Peters then went on to say, "However, we remain concerned about the length of time he has been detained."
He also stated that New Zealand has been in contact with Mehrtens' family to assure them that the government is doing everything possible to secure his safe release.
The government, Peters continued, is also cooperating with relevant parties in Indonesia, including the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Several Indonesian officials have repeatedly affirmed that the government is making every effort to free Mehrtens.
On this occasion, Peters also urged the OPM to release Mehrtens unharmed as soon as possible.
"Continuous detention serves no one's interests," he said.
OPM, led by Egianus Kogoya, kidnapped Mehrtens on February 7, 2023, shortly after he landed his plane in Paro, Nduga Regency. Today marks exactly one year since the kidnapping took place.
However, there have been no signs of Mehrtens being released.