Sources who spoke with The Daily Beast said they were “appalled” by the flurry of attacks on Elizabeth Tsurkov, a 36-year-old researcher kidnapped in Iraq.
“She is an academic who visited Iraq on her Russian passport, at her own initiative pursuant to work on her doctorate and academic research on behalf of Princeton University in the U.S.” the Wednesday statement said. “Elizabeth Tsurkov is still alive and we hold Iraq responsible for her safety and well-being.”
“It’s absolutely horrifying. I was truly panicked and very upset that this is now a massive news piece. It’s such a horrific situation. She’s not just got detractors who are criticizing her for being a potential spy: she’s also got right-wing Israelis who despise the fact that she supports Palestinian rights calling her a traitor, and saying the Israeli government shouldn’t bother helping her. It’s all absolutely disgraceful,” he said.
Robin Yassin-Kassab, a Middle East expert familiar with Tsurkov and her work, raised similar points about Tsurkov’s activism in the region. A journalist who spoke with The Daily Beast on the condition of anonymity, and who described Tsurkov as a “dear friend,” blasted the spying allegations against Tsurkov as “seriously repugnant and inhumane.”
“There is zero evidence of this being the case,” he said in a message to The Daily Beast. “But her abductors and their paymasters read Twitter as much as anyone, and this unsubstantiated narrative being allowed to settle can have very direct implications for her safety—and even for her survival.”
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ben and Jerry's Calls for Return of 'Stolen Indigenous Land' in July 4th PostBen and Jerry's Calls for Return of 'Stolen Indigenous Land' in July 4th Post | Compare reporting by DailyBeast_ WashTimes NewsNation
Read more »
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D review roundup: a budget gaming beast | Digital TrendsThe AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D is here, but is it worth buying? Here's what we know about its performance, efficiency, and how it compares to its competition.
Read more »
Taylor Swift and Matty Healy Are NOT Back Together, Despite Rumors to the Contrary: SourcesIris Goldsztajn is a London-based journalist, editor and author. She is the morning editor at Marie Claire, and her work has appeared in the likes of InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Bustle and Shape. Iris writes about everything from celebrity news and relationship advice to the pitfalls of diet culture and the joys of exercise. She has many opinions on Harry Styles, and can typically be found eating her body weight in cheap chocolate.
Read more »
Melting Arctic glaciers expose new sources of planet-warming methaneResearchers at Cambridge_Uni and UNISvalbard have identified a new source of methane leaking from groundwater springs - formed from melting glaciers - in the Arctic. The emissions could accelerate global warming. Read more at:
Read more »
FBI probe expands to Oakland: Housing cop implicated in East Contra Costa police scandal, sources sayBrauli Rodriguez-Jalapa, an Oakland Housing Authority officer and former Pittsburg cop, is under investigation for alleged crimes involving the FBI probe into the Antioch and Pittsburg police depar…
Read more »
Cocaine found in the White House was in a different location than previously reported, sources sayThe sources maintain that the area is highly trafficked, keeping with Jean-Pierre’s characterization in yesterday’s briefing.
Read more »