Iraqi official: Israeli captive Tsurkov may have been moved to Iran, which is deeply involved in case

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.”

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

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.”