Trump's hostage envoy visited Iraq to push to free kidnapped Princeton researcher, sources say

US President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs Adam Boehler travelled 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, according to Reuters.

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, said in a statement.

“I am especially grateful to SPEHA [Special Envoy] Boehler for going directly to meet with Prime Minister [Mohammed Shia Al-]Sudani 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 confirmed Boehler had visited in February to discuss the Tsurkov case but did not provide further details.

Tsurkov is being held in Iraq by the Shia militia Kataib Hezbollah, according to Israeli officials.

Boehler is trying to negotiate a deal under which Tsurkov will be released in exchange for six members of Lebanese Hezbollah, one of the sources said, adding that there was a whole government effort to bring her back.

“The United States cannot tolerate hostage-taking of US nationals or those of our partners such as Israel. We have and will continue to underscore with the Iraqi government the urgency of securing Elizabeth Tsurkov’s release,” a State Department spokesperson at Boehler’s office said.

In a 5 February post on social media platform X, Boehler advocated for Tsurkov’s release.

“Elizabeth Tsurkov is a Princeton student held hostage in Iraq! The @IraqiPMO consistently made false promises to the prior administration about releasing her. BUT NOW @realDonaldTrump IS ON TO YOU,” Boehler said, tagging the official handle of Al-Sudani’s office.

He said if Tsurkov does not come home, then the Iraqi prime minister’s office is “either incapable and should be FiRED or worse COMPLICIT. Bring Elizabeth home now!”

Elizabeth Tsurkov is a Princeton student held hostage in Iraq! The @IraqiPMO consistently made false promises to the prior administration about releasing her. BUT NOW @realDonaldTrump 🇺🇸 IS ON TO YOU! If @elizrael does not come home NOW than @IraqiPMO is either incapable and… https://t.co/09FmgWt2sW

— Adam Boehler (@aboehler) February 5, 2025

Under the previous administration of former President Joe Biden, US officials said there was little they could do because she is not an American citizen.

“March 21 will be the two year anniversary of my sister’s kidnapping. Hopefully she will not endure March 21 in their custody,” Emma Tsurkov said.

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