Family of kidnapped Princeton student call on US government to help bring her back
Elizabeth Tsurkov was abducted two years ago in Baghdad while conducting academic research for her doctoral dissertation.
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A rally in Washington, D.C. on Monday focused on the return of a Princeton University student who was kidnapped in Iraq two years ago.
Elizabeth Tsurkov was abducted in Baghdad while conducting academic research for her doctoral dissertation.
Ahead of the rally, U.S. Sen. Andy Kim held a press conference alongside Tsurkov’s sister, calling for her return.
Tsurkov was reportedly kidnapped by an Iran-backed militia group. Kim says he wants U.S. leaders to hold the Iraqi government accountable and fight for her return.
RELATED: Princeton doctoral student missing for months being held in Iraq
"The Iraqi government can and should be doing more right now to get Elizabeth freed,” said Kim. "We also need to make sure the trump administration is understanding the importance of this as well.”
Emma Tsurkov says her sister was recovering from back surgery eight days prior to her kidnapping and had stitches in her back.
"She's a kind woman who never hurt anyone. Theres no justification, political, religious or otherwise for holding an academic hostage," she says.
Emma Tsurkov also shared a message directly to Elizabeth.
"If by some miracle my words reach you, I've not forgotten you," she says. "Do whatever it takes to survive. Your strength has always inspired me, and I know it’s the same strength that sustains you now.”
