The West Papua National Liberation Army- Free Papua Organization (TPNPB- OPM) has threatened to execute captured New Zealand pilot Philip Mehrtens if Indonesia does not recognize West Papuan independence in two months. 

Brigjend Egianus Kogoya kasih Waktu 2 bulan kedepan kepada negara-negara agar menekan indonesia untuk mengakui kedaulatan West Papua. "Kalau tidak, pilot akan kami bunuh" pic.twitter.com/plXRvmL4Zn

— Jefry Wenda (@jefry_wnd) May 26, 2023

Mehrtens, pilot of Susi Air, was captured on February 7 after landing at the village of Paro, located in the Papuan highlands. The aircraft was quickly surrounded by TPNPB fighters, who released the five civilian passengers because they were indigenous Papuans. Mehrtens was taken captive, with TPNPB leader Egianus Kogoya initially saying he would only be released if Indonesia recognized Papaun independence. 

This is the first time TPNPB has threatened to kill Mehrtens, which comes amid a series of failed rescue operations by Indonesian forces and stalled negotiations.