Elizabeth Tsurkov, a Princeton University doctoral student, was kidnapped by a militia in Iraq in 2023 and has now been released, as announced by President Trump.

She holds dual Israeli and Russian citizenship and spent more than 900 days in captivity before being turned over to the U.S. Embassy in Iraq.

Her family, especially her sister Emma—who is an American citizen—expressed profound joy, with Emma stating, “we cannot wait to see Elizabeth and give her all the love we have been waiting to share for 903 days,” according to CBS News.

University President Christopher L. Eisgruber released a statement saying the Princeton community is relieved and joyful about her return, and expressed gratitude to President Trump and all who worked for her release.

Tsurkov had also been affiliated with the Washington-based New Lines Institute and had over a decade of experience with human rights organizations in the Middle East, highlighting her academic and humanitarian background.