New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens freed from captivity in Indonesia's Papua

This photo taken and released Sept. 21, 2024, by the Cartenz Peace Task Force shows New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens, left, following his release at a press conference in Timika.

New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens has been freed more than 19 months after being kidnapped by armed separatists in Indonesia's Papua, authorities said on Saturday.