Winston Peters slams West Papua National Liberation Army’s claim bribe was paid to secure release

• Phillip Mehrtens, 38, has been released after 19 months spent in captivity after being kidnapped by rebels in Indonesia’s West Papua region.
• Mehrtens was in good health and reunited with his family in Jakarta.
• Winston Peters has denied a claim made by his hostage-takers a bribe was paid to secure his freedom.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters has vehemently denied the report by Papuan rebel army that a bribe was paid to secure the release of New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens after 19 months in captivity.

Mehrtens was seized by the West Papua National Liberation Army in February 2023 after he landed a small commercial plane in a remote area of Indonesia’s Papua region.

He is in good health and has since been reunited with his immediate family in Jakarta.

West Papua National Liberation Army spokesman Sebby Sambom claimed a bribe was paid by a local politician in Nduga province to hand Mehrtens over to authorities.

New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens pictured at a press conference in Timika following his release / Photo / Cartenz Peace Task Force / AFP

Peters told RNZ’s Morning Report the allegations of a bribe are an “enormous disappointment”.

He deemed the publishing of these allegations as a “disgrace”.

”We don’t pay ransom, we don’t pay bribes.”

He said there is no evidence that a bribe was paid and questioned why the allegations were run without authorisation.

Peters did not provide specific details of the negotiation process.

Kiwi pilot Phillip Mehrtens the day he was released from captivity in Papua, with Former Acting Bupati of Nduga Regency, Edison Gwijangge.

Peters said the claim negatively impacts the reputation of the “good people” who worked to free Mehrtens.

”All the work that’s done by these people of all sorts, including officials, working as hard as they can and as cautiously as they can - not to make a mistake or be offensive and for things to fail - has now been trammelled by the allegation of a bribe,” he told RNZ.

Peters said the release was the result of a huge diplomatic effort.

The family of New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens have expressed their immense relief following his release after the “long and arduous ordeal” he suffered.

“The last 19 and a half months have been very difficult for all of us, and we give our heartfelt thanks to our friends, family and community for their love and kindness during this time,” the statement said.

“There were so many people involved in the effort to find and release Phil, and we are grateful to each and every one of them for the parts they played in helping with Phil’s safe return.”

The family thanked the New Zealand Government, police, the New Zealand Embassy in Jakarta, Hostage International, and Susi Air for support and care provided to the family throughout the ordeal.

“The team at Mfat and the embassy, in particular, went above and beyond from the minute Phil was taken. We are so grateful for the trust they placed in us and the daily updates they provided.”