Iraq Launches Investigation into Kidnapping of Russian-Israeli Citizen Elizaveta Tsurikova

The Iraqi authorities have initiated an investigation into the kidnapping of Elizaveta Tsurikova, a citizen of Israel and Russia, which occurred in March of this year in Baghdad, according to reports by the Times of Israel citing Baghdad data.

According to government spokesperson Bassima al-Awadi, "The Iraqi government is conducting an official investigation regarding the incident." She added, "Given the circumstances and complexity of this case, there will be no official statement until the Iraqi government has completed the official investigation and drawn conclusions."

The 36-year-old Tsurikova, a student at Princeton University, has expressed interest in human rights issues on her Twitter page, which has not been updated since March 2023. Arab media reports indicate that Tsurikova had been in Baghdad for an extended period prior to her disappearance, during which she interviewed supporters of Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr. Furthermore, it has been reported that she was allegedly kidnapped by members of a military group linked to Iran.

Israeli authorities have also stated that Tsurikova entered Iraq on a Russian passport, and this has occurred multiple times in the past. Sources within Arab media believe her kidnapping may have been coordinated with Iranian authorities and that she could be used for a prisoner exchange with Israel.