Iraq opens investigation into kidnapping of Israeli citizen Tsurkov: government

The Iraqi government has opened an investigation into the kidnapping of Israeli citizen Elizabeth Tsurkov in Baghdad in March, a government spokesperson told Reuters on Friday.

Tsurkov went missing after going to Iraq for research purposes on behalf of Princeton University, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Wednesday.

"Elizabeth Tsurkov is still alive and we see Iraq as responsible for her fate and well being," the statement said, adding that the situation is being handled by the relevant bodies in Israel.

The office said that she is being held there by Shia militia Kataeb Hezbollah, a group backed by Iran. The group has since stated that they are not involved in the kidnapping.

The Iraqi spokesperson said the government was waiting for the results of the investigation and had no further comment. 

(Reuters)