Princeton Student Kidnapped By Militia While Conducting Research In Iraq

PRINCETON, NJ — Elizabeth Tsurkov, an Israeli-Russian PhD student at Princeton University, was kidnapped by Iraqi militia while conducting research in Baghdad, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Wednesday.

Tsurkov has been missing since March.

The student is being held by the Shiite militia Kataib Hezbollah, according to Israel.

“Elizabeth Tsurkov is still alive and we hold Iraq responsible for her safety and well-being,” the Israeli Prime Minister’s office said. Tsurkov visited Iraq on her Russian passport, at her own initiative to work on her doctorate and academic research on behalf of Princeton University. “The matter is being handled by the relevant parties in the State of Israel out of concern for Elizabeth Tsurkov's security and well-being,” Netanyahu said.

Kataib Hezbollah or Brigades of the Party of God is an Iraqi Shia militia that gets financial support from Iran. The U.S. has designated the group a terrorist organization since 2009.

On Wednesday evening, Princeton University released a brief statement saying Tsurkov was a “valued member” of the community.

“We are deeply concerned for her safety and wellbeing, and we are eager for her to be able to rejoin her family and resume her studies,” the University said.

Tsurkov began studying in Princeton in 2019. She specializes in the Middle East including Syria, Israel-Palestine and Iraq.

Her research focuses on the Levant – a geographical term referring to the region including Israel and Syria - and “particularly, the Syrian uprising and civil war,” according to her website.

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