Papua Police Continue to Negotiate Release of Susi Air Pilot, Chief Says
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29 June 2023 21:15 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Mathius Fakhiri said that the police continue to negotiate with the Free Papua National Liberation Army for West Papua (TPNPB-OPM) for the release of Susi Air Pilot Captain Philips Max Mehrtens, who is held hostage by the separatist group. Fakhiri stated that the police are ready to give what they demanded, except for two things: independence and weapons.
"We cannot possibly give those two demands. However, the money that they are also demanding will be prepared and given to Egianus Kogoya, as long as they release the New Zealand man they hold hostage and hand him over to Indonesian authorities," Fakhiri said in Jayapura on Thursday, June 29, 2023.
Fakhiri said that negotiations were still being carried out involving various parties, including the family of Egianus Kogoya, leader of the TPNPB-OPM. Faakhiri said he hopes Egianus Kogoya will release Philips Max Mehrtens, whom they have held in captive since February 7, 2023.
End the hopes that Egianus and his men will not shoot the Susi Air pilot as they have threatened to do, as it would have a wide impact.
Two months ago, TPNPB threatened to shoot Philips if their demands were not met by July 1. They made Philips deliver their threat in a video message that was posted online on Friday, 27 May. In the video, Egianus Kogoya also said that if other countries do not force Indonesia to recognize Papuan independence, the TPNPB-OPM will shoot Philips.
Philips Max Mehrtens was taken hostage by the separatist group on February 7 sometime after the pilot landed a Susi Air plane at Paro Airport, Nduga, Papua Mountains Regency.
FEBRIYAN
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