Princeton student freed after two years in captivity in Iraq

In Iraq, Elizabeth Tsurkov, an Israeli-Russian citizen and PhD student at Princeton University, was held captive by Shiite militants since March 21, 2023, after she was kidnapped in Baghdad's Karrada neighborhood. Her abduction was attributed to the militia group Kata'ib Hezbollah, which is designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. government. Tsurkov was in Iraq to conduct field research when she was taken hostage just a week after her arrival. Her captivity lasted for 903 days, creating an international outcry, particularly in connection with her American family's efforts to secure her release. The circumstances surrounding Elizabeth's release on September 10, 2025, remain somewhat unclear. The Iraqi government reported that its security forces had located her detention site and subsequently handed her over to the U.S. Embassy in Iraq. Donald Trump mentioned on his Truth Social platform that her freedom came after negotiations with Kata'ib Hezbollah. The U.S. involvement highlights the complexities of international diplomacy in hostage situations involving American citizens abroad. Following the announcement of her release, Emma Tsurkov, Elizabeth's sister, expressed relief and joy, stating that her family was