The Foreign Office states that it is “concerned by suggestions that aid worker Paul Urey may have been tortured in captivity” and that it is “crucial that we receive the results of a comprehensive autopsy as soon as possible.”
The body of a British humanitarian worker abducted by Russian-backed rebels has been returned with “potential traces of horrible abuse,” according to Ukraine’s foreign minister.
Paul Urey passed away in July after being convicted of “mercenary operations” in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic in eastern Ukraine.
In April, the 45-year-old volunteer from Warrington, Cheshire, was arrested at a checkpoint outside the southeastern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, along with fellow British volunteer Dylan Healy.
In a statement released Wednesday evening, Ukraine’s foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba said, “The Russians have returned Mr. Urey’s body” after claiming he died of “illnesses” and “stress.”
Mr. Kuleba stated that the body of the Briton had “marks of possible terrible torture.”
He stated that detaining and torturing civilians is barbaric and a grave war crime.
“I extend my heartfelt sympathies to Paul Urie’s family and friends” (sic).
“He was a courageous individual who devoted himself to rescuing lives. Never will Ukraine forget him and his deeds.
“We will uncover those responsibly and bring them accountable. They will not avoid justice.”
A Foreign Office official stated, “We are troubled by suggestions that humanitarian worker Paul Urey may have been subjected to torture while detained. Urgently obtaining the results of a complete post-mortem is vital.
During this difficult time, we are thinking about Paul Urey’s family.
As foreign secretary, new Prime Minister Liz Truss urged that Moscow take “full responsibility” for Mr. Urey’s death.
Linda Urey, his mother, was enraged at his death, calling the separatists “murderers” and crying, “Why did you let him die?”
Ms. Urey told at the time of her son’s kidnapping that she had implored him not to travel to Ukraine.
She added, “He said, ‘Mother’.” I cannot tolerate knowing individuals… I need assistance getting to a safe location, so I must leave. I would feel terrible”
Courtney, 17, and Chelsea, 20, daughters of Mr. Urey, told that they were “preparing for the worst.”
After Mr. Urey’s capture, Russian television published a video of him in handcuffs, in which he stated that he traveled to Ukraine because he did not accept the representation of the Russian invasion by the British media.
However, his daughters informed that they believe their father made these claims under duress.
Chelsea stated, “He would never say anything against his own country.”
