Elizabeth Tsurkov, an Israeli-Russian researcher, has been released after being tortured for many months by her Iraqi militia abductors, as announced by US President Donald Trump.
Trump reported via Truth Social: I am pleased to report that Elizabeth Tsurkov, a Princeton student, whose sister is an American citizen, was just released by Kataib Hezbollah and is now safely in the American embassy in Iraq. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani also confirmed her release shortly thereafter.
Tsurkov had gone missing during a research trip in Iraq in March 2023, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating that she was being held by the Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah.
Sudani posted on X, detailing that the release was a result of significant efforts by Iraqi security services. He mentioned that they were able to discover Tsurkov's location before facilitating her transfer to the US embassy.
Initially entering Iraq on her Russian passport, Tsurkov's research focuses on the Levant, which encompasses present-day Israel, Syria, and other areas, regarding the Syrian uprising and civil war.
Kataib Hezbollah, the group responsible for her abduction, is a powerful Iraqi Shia militia known to receive financial and military backing from Iran. It was designated a terrorist organization by the US in 2009.
In his post on Truth Social, Trump reiterated his commitment to justice, stating: I will always fight for justice and never give up. Hamas, release the hostages, now! in reference to captives taken during a recent attack on Israel.
