Israeli-Russian researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov has been released in Iraq more than two years after being kidnapped in Baghdad. Her release was announced on Tuesday by U.S. President Donald Trump, who confirmed that Tsurkov is now safely in the American Embassy in Iraq.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani also confirmed the news, describing Tsurkov as a “Russian citizen,” and stressed that Iraq will not tolerate actions that undermine the authority of the state or damage the country’s reputation.
Tsurkov, a Princeton University student and expert on Middle Eastern affairs, was abducted in July 2023 while conducting academic research in Baghdad. Born in Israel to Russian parents, she had previously served in the Israeli military before beginning her research career.
Her family, especially her sister Emma, publicly campaigned for her release over the past two years. They expressed immense gratitude to the Trump administration for its role in securing her freedom.
It is worth noting that in recent years, several international delegations traveled to Iraq to discuss Tsurkov’s case, exploring the possibility of her release through negotiations and exchange efforts. These diplomatic attempts played an important role in paving the way for her freedom.
