The New Zealand pilot and five passengers of an Indonesian Susi Air plane were taken hostage by militants in Indonesia’s West Papua province. writes about it TASS Referring to New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins.
The New Zealand Embassy in Indonesia is aware of the situation and is working on it.
“They have not yet given us full information about what happened and what they did to resolve the situation, but we know that work on this case is ongoing,” the official said on a local radio broadcast.
The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides consular support to the pilot’s family.
The West Papua National Liberation Army, the military wing of the separatist organization Free Papua Movement (considered a terrorist organization in Indonesia), claimed responsibility for the incident. In exchange for the hostages, the terrorists demand recognition of the region’s independence.