Overview

• The Free Papua Movement rebels, led by Egianus Kogoya, abducted New Zealand pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens in February 2023.
• The rebels demand Papua's sovereignty in exchange for Mehrtens' release, a condition initially set by Kogoya.
• Recent Indonesian military operations, including troop deployments and airstrikes in Papua, have increased tensions.
• Rebels issued a proposal for Mehrtens' release involving media involvement, which they claim Indonesia is ignoring.
• New Zealand remains in close contact with all parties but refrains from publicly discussing their efforts to secure Mehrtens' release.