Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta.  Indonesian National Police (INP) Chief, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, praised the "soft approach" taken by the negotiation team in securing the release of Susi Air pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens, who was held captive by armed criminal group (KKB) leader Egianus Kogoya.

“I appreciate this team for employing a soft approach since the safety of the hostage is our top priority,” he said during a meeting with the rescue team at the INP Headquarters in Jakarta on Tuesday (24/9/2024).

Chief Sigit expressed gratitude that this method allowed for Philip's safe release, according to antaranews.com.

During the meeting, he heard accounts of the rescue operation. Present at the meeting were key figures from the negotiation team, including Edison Gwijangge, Yospian Wandikbo, and Erlina Gwijangge, along with other high-ranking police officials involved in the operation.

New Zealander Captain Mehrtens was kidnapped on 7 February  2023, while flying to Paro District in Papua’s Nduga regency. In response, the military and police launched Operation Paro, involving 978 personnel.

After approximately one year and seven months in captivity, Captain Mehrtens was released on 21 September 2024. He was evacuated by a joint team in Yuguru Village and flown to the police's Mobile Brigade Command in Timika for a health check before being flown to Jakarta. 

He was handed over to New Zealand’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Kevin Burnett, by Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Hadi Tjahjanto.

(mg/inp/pr/nm)