Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta.  Coordinating Minister for for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Hadi Tjahjanto has been exploring the possibility of employing a church-based approach for the release of Susi Air pilot Captain Philip Mark Mehrtens, who has been held captive by an armed criminal group (KKB). "The three Nduga figures are willing to assist, especially through a church-based approach, considering the majority of Papua's residents are Christians," he said on Wednesday (29/2/2024). Given that a large proportion of Papuans adhere to Christianity, leveraging the church for negotiations could facilitate a smoother dialogue with the captors, potentially leading to Captain Mehrtens' safe release, antaranews.com reported. "This is currently at the discussion stage, and hopefully, they will take action on the ground based on these discussions," he added. Captain Mehrtens was taken captive by KKB led by Egianus Kogoya on 7 February 2023, shortly after landing his aircraft at the Paro Airstrip in Nduga Regency, Papua Mountains. (mg/inp/pr/nm)