Elizabeth Tsurkov, a Princeton University PhD student and dual Israeli-Russian citizen, has been freed after being held captive by Shiite militants in Iraq since March 2023. Her release was confirmed by President Donald Trump and Iraqi security forces.
The details surrounding her release remain unclear. Iraqi authorities said they discovered Tsurkov’s detention location on Tuesday. They recovered her and handed her over to the U.S. Embassy in Iraq, without specifying the exact circumstances of her release.
Trump stated on his Truth Social platform that Tsurkov was released by Kata’ib Hezbollah, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization.
Sabah al-Numan, spokesperson for Iraq’s Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, said Tsurkov was safely transferred to the U.S. Embassy. “Our armed forces and all security agencies will not hesitate to enforce the rule of law and defend the state,” al-Numan said.
Trump added, “I will always fight for JUSTICE, and never give up.”
Tsurkov, who is pursuing a PhD in political science at Princeton University, had traveled to Iraq in 2023 for field research. On March 21, just eight days after arriving in Baghdad’s Karrada neighborhood, she was abducted.
Months after her kidnapping, Israel confirmed that Kata’ib Hezbollah was behind the abduction.
Her sister, Emma Tsurkov, an American citizen, said the family is “incredibly happy” and “cannot wait to see Elizabeth and give her all the love we have been waiting to share for 903 days.”
The family thanked those involved in securing her release, including Trump, his special envoy Adam Boehler, the U.S. Embassy in Iraq, and Global Reach, a nonprofit that advocates for Americans detained abroad.
Mickey Bergman, CEO of Global Reach, said, “This is a day we have all been waiting for. As an Israeli-born American, Elizabeth’s safe return is personal. It shows that the United States fights for those targeted because of their status or relationship with our country.”
Princeton University President Christopher Eisgruber expressed relief over Tsurkov’s release. “Her return brings joy to the university community, and we celebrate that she will soon be reunited with her family,” he said.
Elizabeth Tsurkov’s release marks the end of a long and tense ordeal that highlighted the risks faced by researchers and citizens abroad. Iraqi authorities and international partners played key roles in securing her freedom.
The case also underscores ongoing concerns about the presence of militant groups in Iraq and the challenges in protecting foreign nationals conducting research or humanitarian work in high-risk areas.
For months, Tsurkov’s family, advocacy groups, and government officials worked tirelessly to negotiate her safe return. Her safe arrival at the U.S. Embassy provides reassurance about the effectiveness of coordinated diplomatic and security efforts in resolving hostage situations.
As Tsurkov prepares to return home, her case serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by academics in conflict zones and the importance of international cooperation to ensure their safety.
