Sen. Kim Urges Continued Negotiations For Release Of Kidnapped Princeton Student

PRINCETON, NJ — It’s been two years since Princeton University student Elizabeth Tsurkov was kidnapped in Iraq. On Monday, Sen. Andy Kim and her sister Emma Tsurkov held a press conference calling on the Trump administration to secure her release.

Eight days before the Princeton University student was kidnapped by Iraqi militia, she had undergone back surgery.

“She was taken with stitches still in her back, in a vulnerable state of recovery,” Emma said.

The Princeton University student was kidnapped while conducting research on an “approved” topic for her dissertation in Baghdad.

Kim emphasized the importance of bilateral engagement with Iraq and the Trump administration to prioritize Elizabeth's freedom.

“I am also somebody who worked and did a PhD dissertation on Iraq when I was in school. I know the importance of that type of work, and also the type of freedom and security and safety that comes with doing that type of work,” Kim said.

“And no way is she somebody who should be abducted and kidnapped, and accused of things that obviously she is not doing and all just for the collateral damage, and she and her family are the ones that are suffering because of this.”

The Senator said he was getting engaged in the issue because Elizabeth was a student from his home state of New Jersey. He said he will continue to press Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia’ Al Sudani to take action on the matter.

“This isn't just about Elizabeth. This is about making sure that we are protecting people who are in this country, people who have been at our schools or in our businesses,” Kim said

The Senator said he was inspired by the strength of Elizabeth’s family who continue to advocate for her releases some 700 days after her abduction.

An Israeli-Russian PhD scholar, Elizabeth visited Iraq on her Russian passport and was kidnapped by the Shiite militia Kataib Hezbollah.

The Iraqi government later announced it had opened an investigation into the kidnapping.

“She's a brilliant scholar who was researching for her doctoral dissertation at Princeton University. She wanted to shed light on the complexities of the region, to reduce the simplistic narratives,” Emma said. “She is passionate, kind, and fiercely dedicated to truth and fairness.”

Emma said their parents have aged two decades in the past two years since Elizabeth’s abduction. However, the family has “no choice but to endure” the failed promises from the Iraqi government to secure Elizabeth’s release.

“The US government provided billions of dollars in military assistance to the Iraq government in the past years. We must make sure that our tax dollars were not used to arm terrorists holding my sister hostage,” Emma said.

She also thanked Kim for his advocacy, saying it has been a “lifeline” for the Tsurkov family.

Finally, Emma also spoke directly to Elizabeth.

“Elizabeth, if but some miracle my words reach you – we have not forgotten you for a single moment,” She said. “We fight for you every day. Just survive.”

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