Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Princeton Student Reveals Harrowing Two-Year Captivity in Iraq

11/6/2025

28 6

Summary

Story summary

Elizabeth Tsurkov, a 38-year-old doctoral student at Princeton University, describes two and a half years in captivity in Iraq after being held by an Iran-backed militia.
She says the ordeal included beatings, electrocution, and sexual assault, leaving her with psychological torment and physical injuries.
In her first interview since September, she spoke from a friend's home, lying down due to injuries, and described being used as a punching bag.

1 of 1

Story summary

Elizabeth Tsurkov, a 38-year-old doctoral student at Princeton University, describes two and a half years in captivity in Iraq after being held by an Iran-backed militia.
She says the ordeal included beatings, electrocution, and sexual assault, leaving her with psychological torment and physical injuries.
In her first interview since September, she spoke from a friend's home, lying down due to injuries, and described being used as a punching bag.