President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that Elizabeth Tulkov, a Princeton University doctoral student, has been freed by Kataib Hezbollah, a group backed by Iran that the U.S. designates as a terrorist organization.
Tulkov, who holds citizenship in both Russia and Israel, is reportedly safe at the U.S. embassy in Iraq. Trump shared this update in a social media post, stating she was “just released” from captivity.
“I always fight for justice and never give up,” Trump expressed. He also called on Hamas to release hostages immediately.
Tulkov had been in Baghdad researching for a paper in 2023 and had traveled there alone using her Russian passport.
Trump mentioned in his post that Tulkov had been “tortured for months.” However, her current condition has not been disclosed.
While the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office had previously requested Tulkov’s release, they emphasized that the Iraqi government holds responsibility for her safety.
Tulkov is affiliated with the New Line Institute in Washington and has been recognized as a regional expert, often appearing in international media before her disappearance.
Interestingly, Trump confirmed that Tulkov’s sister is an American citizen, although the details surrounding her release are still unfolding. It’s worth noting that Mahdi al-Muhandis, the leader of Kataib Hezbollah, was killed in a 2020 U.S. airstrike ordered by Trump himself.
