Timika – Papua Police Chief Inspector General Pol Mathius D. Fahiri emphasized that the leader of the armed criminal group (KKB) Egianus Kogoya is an Indonesian citizen (WNI).
This was conveyed in connection with a request for Papuan independence from Egianus as a condition for releasing Susi Air Pilot Captain Philips Mark Mehrtens who was held hostage since February 2023.
“Egi is an Indonesian citizen, who said Egi is a citizen of Free Papua. There is no barter between Egi and the state, he is still an Indonesian citizen,” said the Regional Police Chief during an interview in Timika City, Central Papua, Tuesday (11/7/2023).
The Regional Police Chief said that Egianus Kogoya was an Indonesian citizen, so communication was being carried out between the government and its citizens.
For this reason, Egianus was only given a solution to return Captain Philip without any request for bartering with Papuan independence or asking for weapons and ammunition.
“So we are talking to our community members. He can’t make another offer,” said the police chief.
When asked about the pilot’s condition, the regional police chief revealed that the captain was still in the Nduga region, Papua Mountains.
“The pilot’s condition is safe and healthy,” he said.
Inspector General of Police Fakhiri said, in an effort to save the pilot, his party was still continuing to build communication with all parties.
“Yesterday I conveyed in Jayapura, I reported to the president that we will make every effort to maximize it,” he said.
