Princeton Student Elizabeth Tsurkov Kidnapped in Iraq by Iranian-Linked Militia
Elizabeth Tsurkov, a dual Israeli-Russian citizen and graduate student at Princeton University, has been abducted by a Shiite militia in Iraq, according to the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Tsurkov, who was conducting doctoral research in Baghdad, went missing in March. The Israeli government holds Iraq responsible for her safety and well-being. Tsurkov's family requested that the news not be publicized to facilitate negotiations for her release. Israeli and Russian officials are cooperating in efforts to secure her release. The Shiite militia Kataib Hezbollah, closely affiliated with Iran, is identified as her captors.