Guerrilla fighters in Papua’s central highlands, who need to free Papua from Indonesia, after he landed a business aircraft within the mountainous space of Nduga.
In a brand new video launched by the group on Friday, a visibly emaciated Mr Mehrtens holds the banned Morning Star flag, an emblem of West Papuan independence, and is surrounded by Papuan fighters brandishing what one analyst mentioned have been assault rifles manufactured in Indonesia.
Mr Mehrtens is seen speaking to the digicam, saying the separatists need international locations apart from Indonesia to interact in dialogue on Papuan independence.
“If it doesn’t occur inside two months then they are saying they’ll shoot me,” Mr Mehrtens says within the video, which was shared by Papuan insurgent spokesperson Sebby Sambom, and verified by Deka Anwar, an analyst on the Jakarta-based Institute for Coverage Evaluation of Battle (IPAC).
How have New Zealand and Indonesia responded?
A spokesperson for New Zealand’s Ministry of International Affairs mentioned in an e-mail to Reuters on Saturday that they have been conscious of the pictures and movies circulating.
“We’re doing all the pieces we are able to to safe a peaceable decision and Mr Mehrtens’ protected launch,” the spokesperson added.
In the meantime, Indonesia’s navy spokesman Julius Widjojono mentioned on Saturday that the navy will proceed to hold out ‘measurable actions’ in accordance with normal working process.
The Indonesian international ministry didn’t reply to requests for remark.
Indonesian authorities have beforehand mentioned they’re prioritising peaceable negotiations to safe the discharge of the Susi Air pilot, however have struggled to entry the remoted and rugged highland terrain.
An more and more lethal battle for independence
A low-level however more and more lethal battle for independence has been waged in resource-rich Papua ever because it was introduced below Indonesian management in a vote overseen by the United Nations in 1969.
The battle has escalated considerably since 2018, with pro-independence fighters mounting deadlier and extra frequent assaults, largely as a result of they’ve managed to obtain extra refined weapons.
Rumianus Wandikbo of the West Papua Nationwide Liberation Military – the armed wing of the Free Papua Motion – known as on international locations like New Zealand, Australia and Western nations to kickstart talks with Indonesia and the separatists.
“We don’t ask for cash…We actually demand our rights for sovereignty,” he mentioned in a separate video.