Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Indonesian government officially handed over Susi Air pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens to New Zealand on Saturday (21/9/2024) after he was held hostage by the Armed Criminal Group (KKB), led by Egianus Kogoya, since 7 February  2023.

The handover took place after Captain Mehrtens arrived at Halim Perdanakusuma Airbase in Jakarta at 10.26 pm on the Indonesian Military (TNI) Air Force plane, according to antaranews.com.

"I officially handed over Captain Philip Mark Mehrtens to the New Zealand government, represented by Ambassador Kevin Burnett," said Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Hadi Tjahjanto, as quoted by antaranews.com.

After being released cued in Kampung Yuguru, Nduga, he underwent a health check in Timika before flying to Jakarta.

(mg/inp/pr/nm)