Princeton Graduate Student Freed After Two Years Captivity Iraq

Elizabeth Tsurkov, an Israeli-Russian doctoral student at Princeton University, was released after over two years of captivity by the Iran-backed Shiite militia Kata’ib Hezbollah in Iraq. She was abducted in March 2023 in Baghdad while conducting academic research, and her release was secured through extensive efforts by U.S., Israeli, and Iraqi officials, including President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. President Trump confirmed her safe arrival at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and highlighted that she had been tortured during captivity. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani reaffirmed Iraq’s commitment to enforcing the law and upholding state authority. Tsurkov’s family expressed immense gratitude towards those who worked tirelessly for her release, including U.S. special envoy Adam Boehler and advocacy groups. Princeton University President Christopher Eisgruber also expressed relief and gratitude for her safe return.