Indonesian authorities said Saturday the New Zealand pilot who’s been held hostage for more than a year in the restive Papua region has been freed by separatist rebels.

Phillip Mark Mehrtens, a 38-year-old New Zealand pilot, was released by separatist rebels in Indonesia's Papua region after over a year in captivity. His release was secured through negotiations involving local leaders and international cooperation.

New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens has been freed more than 19 months after being kidnapped by armed separatists in Indonesia's Papua, authorities said on Saturday. Mehrtens was freed and picked up by a joint team in the Nduga area and was undergoing health check-ups and a psychological examination in Timika regency,