Speculation about the exchange of an Israeli spy with an Iranian national in Iraq.
Three informed sources, including an Iraqi government official, told the London-based Saudi Arabian newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat that negotiations for the release of Elizabeth Surkov, an Israeli spy with Russian citizenship in Iraq, have reached the final stages and the only remaining stage is the implementation of her release.
One of these sources told the newspaper: “The negotiations were very long and difficult, but ultimately led to an agreement that included the payment of a ransom, although he did not disclose the details.”
Asharq Al-Awsat quoted a source it called informed as saying regarding the process of the negotiations: “The group responsible for Surkov’s imprisonment has agreed to release her in exchange for the release of individuals who have a history of targeting US interests in the region.”
This Iraqi source, without mentioning the nature of the individuals who are to be released in exchange for the release of the dual Israeli-Russian spy, said only that “one of these individuals is an Iranian.”
A second source told Asharq Al-Awsat: “The final agreement has been reached and all its details have been agreed upon and the only remaining stage is Surkov’s release.”
Meanwhile, the Saudi newspaper wrote: A media official in the Iraqi National Security Advisor expressed ignorance of the existence of such an agreement and refused to comment on the news of Surkov’s release.
However, another Iraqi security official told Asharq Al-Awsat: “So far, Surkov’s release has not been carried out in practice.”