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== Kidnapping and Captivity ==

== Kidnapping and Captivity ==

In March 2023, during a research trip to Iraq, Tsurkov was abducted in Baghdad by members of Kata'ib Hezbollah, a U.S.-designated [[terrorism|terrorist]] organization with strong ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ([[IRGC]]). Despite entering Iraq on her Russian passport, Tsurkov was targeted only due to her Israeli identity. She was held in harsh conditions and subjected to prolonged torture, rape.

In March 2023, during a research trip to Iraq, Tsurkov was abducted in Baghdad by members of Kata'ib Hezbollah, a U.S.-designated [[terrorism|terrorist]] organization with strong ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ([[IRGC]]). Despite entering Iraq on her Russian passport, Tsurkov was targeted only due to her Israeli identity. She was held in harsh conditions and subjected to prolonged torture, sexually assaulted.<ref>[https://www.registercitizen.com/news/article/israeli-russian-graduate-student-kidnapped-in-21039628.php Israeli-Russian graduate student kidnapped in Iraq has been released, Trump and family say], Associated Press. 2025-09-09</ref>

Her abduction highlighted the growing reach of Iranian proxy militias and the increasing risks faced by Israelis and [[Jews]] abroad, especially in unstable or hostile regions.

Her abduction highlighted the growing reach of Iranian proxy militias and the increasing risks faced by Israelis and [[Jews]] abroad, especially in unstable or hostile regions.