Fighters in Indonesia’s Papua area have threatened to shoot a New Zealand pilot they took hostage in February if independence talks usually are not launched.
The demand is available in a brand new video launched by the group on Friday, which exhibits an emaciated Phillip Mehrtens holding the banned Morning Star flag – an emblem of Papuan independence.
Surrounded by Papuan fighters brandishing rifles, Mr Mehrtens stated they need different nations to be a part of talks on the area’s bid for independence from Indonesia.
He stated: “If it does not happen within two months, then they say they will shoot me.”
The Indonesian international ministry and the New Zealand embassy in Jakarta haven’t commented on the video.
Indonesian authorities have beforehand stated they’re making an attempt to barter the pilot’s launch, however they’ve struggled to entry the a part of the nation the place he’s being held.
The West Papua Liberation Army fighters captured Mr Merhtens after he landed a business airplane within the mountainous area of Nduga.
He had been serving to to evacuate 15 building employees who had been threatened with demise whereas constructing a well being centre within the distant district.
Philip Mehrtens was taken hostage in February. Pic: AP
The passengers have been launched as a result of they have been Papuans, in response to insurgent spokesman Sebby Sambom.
But Mr Merhtens, who’s from Christchurch and works for Indonesian agency Susi Air, was taken.
Separatists in Papua – an impoverished however resource-rich space within the far east of the nation sharing a border with Papua New Guinea – usually consider outsiders are authorities spies
Papua turned a part of Indonesia in a controversial 1969 vote and there was an insurgency ever since, with frequent violence between indigenous individuals and safety forces.
In newer years, the fighters have been capable of entry higher weapons, growing the variety of clashes.
Content Source: information.sky.com