In brief
After being abducted during a research trip in March 2023, Elizabeth Tsurkov, a Princeton student with dual Israeli-Russian nationality, has been released from captivity. Her release follows several months of efforts by Iraqi security forces and confirmation from both US and Iraqi officials. Tsurkov was reportedly tortured during her time in captivity, held by the Iran-backed militia, Kataib Hezbollah. The political landscape surrounding her abduction and release highlights ongoing tensions in the region.
An Israeli-Russian researcher has been released after being tortured for many months by her Iraqi militia abductors, US President Donald Trump has announced.In a post on Truth Social, Trump said: 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 confirmed Ms Tsurkov's release shortly afterwards.She had gone missing in Iraq during a research trip in March 2023 - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said several months later that she was being held by the Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah.In a post on X, Sudani said Ms Tsurkov's release was a culmination of extensive efforts exerted by our security services over the course of many months. He added that the security services on Tuesday were able to uncover the place the student had been held, before handing her over to the US embassy.Ms Tsurkov entered Iraq on her Russian passport, Netanyahu's office said at the time. According to Ms Tsurkov's website, her research focuses on the Levant - a historical term that refers to a large geographical region including present-day Israel, Syria and other areas - and the Syrian uprising and civil war.Kataib Hezbollah (Brigades of the Party of God) is a powerful Iraqi Shia militia that gets financial and military support from Iran. It was designated by the US as a terrorist organisation in 2009.In Tuesday's post on Truth Social, Trump also stated, I will always fight for justice and never give up. Hamas, release the hostages, now! in a reference to those people seized by the Palestinian group during its deadly attack on Israel on 7 October 2023.
