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Iraq

Trump’s hostage envoy visited Iraq to push for release of Israeli captive — sources

2025-03-13

[IsraelTimes] Israeli-Russian researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov believed to be held by Iran-backed militia; sister says Trump administration has done more in a few weeks than Biden’s did in two years

US President Donald Trump
...So far he's been unkillable, and they've tried....
’s Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs Adam Boehler traveled to Iraq last month to push for the release of Israeli-Russian researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov, who was kidnapped in Iraq nearly two years ago, three sources familiar with the matter said.

Since taking office, Boehler has stepped up efforts to secure the release of Tsurkov, a Princeton University student who went missing in Iraq during a research trip in March 2023, publicly urging the Iraqi government to help her get home.

"The Trump Administration has done more in just a few weeks than the previous administration did in almost two years," Emma Tsurkov, Elizabeth’s sister, told Rooters in a statement.

"I am especially grateful to SPEHA (Special Envoy) Boehler for going directly to meet with Prime Minister [Mohammed Shia al-] Sudan
Sudan

...a Moslem country located in the Horn of Africa. It is noted for its affinity for rule by ex- or current generals, its holy men, and for the oppression of the native Afro population by its Arab conquerors. South Sudan, populated mostly by the natives, split off from Sudan proper, which left North and South Darfur to be oppressed by the guys with turbans...
i in Baghdad. His engagement with Sudani makes it clear that the US holds Sudani responsible for finding a way to get my sister home."

An Iraqi official speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters confirmed Boehler had visited in February to discuss the Tsurkov case but did not provide further details.

An Arab diplomat familiar with the matter told The Times of Israel that Boehler has leaned aggressively on Sudani during a number of heated calls and meetings aimed at securing Tsurkov’s release.

Tsurkov is being held in Iraq by the Shiite militia Kataib Hezbollah, a group backed by Iran, according to Israeli officials.

While Sudani in his contacts with Boehler has sought to argue that the blame for Tsurkov’s kidnapping lay squarely on Kataib Hezbollah, the US envoy has refused to accept that the Iraqi government doesn’t have the ability to advance her release, the Arab diplomat said.

Iraqi official: Israeli captive Tsurkov may have been moved to Iran, which is deeply involved in case
[IsraelTimes] Israeli-Russian academic Elizabeth Tsurkov, who was kidnapped in Baghdad in 2023 and whom the United States is currently pressuring Iraq to free, could potentially have been transferred to Iran, which is seen as likely to be involved in holding and interrogating her, the Ynet news site reports, citing an unnamed senior Iraqi official.

“She may well have been secretly transferred there, or the Iranians sent intelligence officers,” the official is quoted as saying. “It’s really lucky that Tsurkov is alive. Usually in cases like these, they are executed during questioning. Her foreign identity is benefiting her.”

The Iraqi official quoted by Ynet says there is “full documentation” of the kidnapping as well as eyewitness testimonies provided to authorities, adding that Tsurkov was abducted while exiting a cafe in Baghdad’s Karada neighborhood after meeting with an Iraqi national who likely tipped off Kataib Hezbollah.

The official reiterates that Iraqi Prime Minister Shia al-Sudani doesn’t know where Tsurkov is being held, “but he definitely knows who kidnapped her.” Repeated efforts haven’t yielded a breakthrough on locating her, despite increasing US pressure and threats.

“The government of Iraq is taking steps, but there is no cooperation from Tsurkov’s kidnappers and we estimate that the Iranian leadership in involved and giving the instructions,” the official adds.

“The Tsurkov story is directly connected to Iran. Only from there will come a decision on her matter.”

Sister of Israeli held in Iraq says Boehler gave family ‘hopeful’ updates
[IsraelTimes] After reporting that Israeli-Russian captive Elizabeth Tsurkov may have been moved from Iraq to Iran, the Ynet news site quoted her sister Emma Tsurkov as dismissing that possibility, adding that the family is hearing positive signs from the US leadership.

After US hostage envoy Adam Boehler was reported to have visited Iraq recently to push for the academic’s release, Emma Tsurkov says she has spoken with Boehler and received “hopeful” updates.

“We have spoken directly with Boehler several times, and I have met his staff. It’s amazing how in a few weeks they have gotten things to move,” she says.

Responding to the unnamed Iraqi official speculating about Elizabeth being moved to Iran, Emma says: “It’s a convenient pretext that ‘senior’ officials say all the time. She’s not in Iran.”

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