The TPNPB-OPM militia burns a number of Indonesian flags in the Pegunungan Bintang Regency, Papua, on Thursday, August 7, ...

National Liberation Army of West Papua-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB OPM) issue a prohibition on the raising of the Indonesian ...

The TPNPB is designated by the Indonesian government as a terrorist organization, and in the past, the group has taken hostages to further their cause.

While TPNPB leaders have been inconsistent in their demands throughout the months, they have recently adopted a more balanced tone towards the fate of Mehrtens.

“TPNPB has admitted the responsibility for the burning of the plane and taking hostage of a Susi Air pilot who is a citizen of New Zealand, and we keep our promise and are politically ...

Still from the video released by TPNPB shows New Zealand pilot Philip Mehrtens sitting among separatist fighters and holding their flag in Indonesia’s Papua region in this undated handout ...

An armed faction of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) kidnapped Mehrtens on February 7, 2023, after he landed a small commercial plane in the remote, mountainous area of Nduga.

TPNPB fighters led by Kogoya poured fuel on the single-engined Susi Airlines aircraft and then set it alight, destroying Mr Mehrtens' hopes of fleeing the remote West Papuan province ...

The TPNPB, designated by the Indonesian government as a terrorist group, has previously said that Merthens would not be released until Jakarta acknowledged Papuan independence and withdrew its ...

The TPNPB did not respond to a request for comment. Mr Mehrtens was freed and picked up by a joint team in Nduga Regency, the police said.

Accusing New Zealand of providing support to Indonesia’s security forces, the TPNPB subsequently announced that Mehrtens would not be released until the Indonesian government acknowledged Papua ...