Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Hadi Tjahjanto, confirmed on Saturday (21/9/2024) that the Armed Criminal Group (KKB), led by Egianus Kogoya, did not demand a ransom for the release of Susi Air pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens.

The New Zealander pilot had been held hostage in Papua's mountains since 7 February 2023.

"They didn't ask for anything. We simply took a persuasive approach," Minister Hadi said, as quoted by antaranews.com

He explained that Mehrtens' release was the result of lengthy negotiations led by the joint Indonesian Military (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (INP)i Operation Damai Cartenz Task Force, with support from local leaders and communities.

Mehrtens was officially handed over to New Zealand’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Kevin Burnett.

(mg/inp/pr/nm)