Former CEO Juha Christensen instrumental in securing release of New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens in Indonesia

Finnish former CEO and current peace negotiator Juha Christensen participated in the negotiations that led to the release of New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens in Indonesia’s Papua region, according to Helsingin Sanomat. Mehrtens was freed on Saturday after spending 19 months as a hostage of an armed separatist group in the remote Nduga area of Papua province.

The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) abducted Mehrtens in April 2023. Christensen has extensive experience in negotiations with Indonesian separatist groups and was part of peace talks that earned former president Martti Ahtisaari the Nobel Peace Prize. He emphasized to Helsingin Sanomat that he was only one player in a larger effort that included state actors and civil society seeking Mehrtens’ release.

Christensen traveled to negotiate with Papuan rebels three times, with his most recent visit occurring just last week in September.