Israeli-Russian academic Elizabeth Tsurkov has been released in Iraq after being held captive for over a year, officials confirmed Tuesday. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani credited Iraqi security forces for her release, calling it the result of "extensive efforts" to track down the kidnappers, described as a "group of outlaws." Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on Truth Social that Tsurkov was freed by Kataeb Hizbollah, a powerful pro-Iranian militia group, after enduring months of torture. He added that she is now safe at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. Tsurkov, who was conducting academic research when abducted in March 2023, had drawn international concern as negotiations for her release dragged on. Her release marks the end of a high-stakes diplomatic ordeal and shines a light on the risks faced by foreign researchers in volatile regions.