Jetstar pilot hostage video is published: Gaunt and pale abducted man is seen in message from the jungles of Indonesia

A video has been released of New Zealand pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens who has been held hostage in West Papua for more than a year.

Mehrtens, a former Jetstar pilot, appears emaciated and pale, with a thin beard, in the video, which he says was filmed on December 22, 2023.

“It’s me,” says Mr. Mehrtens with a chuckle.

‘I’m fine, they’re treating me well,’ he says smiling in the video.

“I’m trying to stay positive and I hope you and Jacob are healthy, doing well and supported.”

Mehrtens said he had met with the “komandant”, probably referring to Egianus Kogoya, a commander of the rebel West Papua National Liberation Army (TPN-PB) fighting Indonesian annexation of the territory.