Rebels armed with bows and arrows threaten to execute hostage pilot if demands are not met

Philip Mehrtens' single-engine plane was stormed after landing in the remote mountainous province of Nduga in Indonesia's Highland Papua province by armed rebels

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Indonesia: Separatist rebels hold New Zealand pilot hostage

The armed rebels who kidnapped a New Zealand pilot have threatened to execute him if their demands are not met.

New footage has emerged of captive Philip Mehrtens surrounded by rebels with guns and a bow and arrow, with one fighter warning that Mehrtens will "die here" if the Indonesian military tries to save him.

Rebel spokesman Sebby Sambom wrote that Mr Mehrtens would be held hostage for negotiations with Indonesia, but warned that if conditions were not met, the pilot "would be executed".

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The Indonesian government has stood firm, saying Papua will “forever remain a legitimate part” of Indonesia.

Rebels stormed Philip Mehrtens' single-engine plane after it landed in the remote mountainous province of Nduga in Indonesia's Highland Papua province.

Separatist fighters detaining Phillip Mark Mehrtens (

Picture:

PA)

They set fire to the plane and freed the five local passengers, but detained the 37-year-old pilot. They promised to treat him humanely.

The separatists are members of the West Papua National Liberation Army – which is the armed wing of the Free Papua Organization (OPM) – which is fighting for independence from Indonesia.

In what appeared to be a gagged statement, the pilot stated the rebels' demands on the video - expressing the dispute that dates back to Indonesia's takeover of the region in the 1960s.