Princeton Graduate Student Elizabeth Tsurkov Released After 2-Year Captivity in Iraq

Elizabeth Tsurkov, a graduate student from Princeton University and a citizen of both Russia and Israel, was freed on Tuesday after being held captive by the Kataib Hezbollah group in Iraq for over two years. President Donald Trump announced her release via Truth Social, adding that Tsurkov had endured significant torture during her captivity, a statement echoed by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, who mentioned the extensive efforts by security services that made her release possible.

In a heartfelt conversation with Tsurkov’s family, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed the joy of the entire nation of Israel at her safe return. The operation to bring her home was led by Netanyahu’s defense coordinator, Gal Hirsch. Tsurkov had been conducting field research in Iraq for her doctoral dissertation and was affiliated with the New Lines Institute, a global affairs organization based in Washington.

Prior to her abduction, Tsurkov stayed in contact with New Lines magazine and was known for her academic interest in the area's social and political dynamics. According to statements from her sister, Emma, a researcher at Stanford, Tsurkov was dedicated to her studies and was described as courageous and compassionate. Her entry into Iraq was made with a Russian passport on January 28, 2023.

Tsurkov's kidnapping raised alarms among U.S. lawmakers advocating for her release, as they underscored her precarious situation due to Iraq's lack of formal relations with Israel and Russia's inaction in advocating for her release, a consequence of her outspoken views against Russia's actions in Ukraine. Her research focused on the sectarian divide in Iraq, particularly between the Sadrist and Tishreen movements, highlighting her deep engagement with the region's complexities.