The physique of a British assist employee who was captured by Russian separatists has been returned with “signs of possible unspeakable torture”, Ukraine’s international minister has mentioned.
Paul Urey died in July after he was charged with committing “mercenary activities” within the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic in jap Ukraine.
The 45-year-old from Warrington, Cheshire, was seized at a checkpoint exterior the southeastern Ukrainian metropolis of Zaporizhzhia in April, alongside a fellow British volunteer, Dylan Healy.
In a press release on Wednesday night, Ukraine’s international minister Dmytro Kuleba mentioned “Russians have returned the body” of Mr Urey after they claimed he had died as a result of “illnesses” and “stress”.
Mr Kuleba mentioned the Briton’s physique had “signs of possible unspeakable torture”.
“Detaining and torturing civilians is barbarism and a heinous war crime,” he mentioned.
“I categorical my deepest condolences to family members and shut ones of Paul Urie (sic).
“He was a brave man who dedicated himself to saving people.
“Ukraine will always remember him and his deeds.
“We will identify perpetrators of this crime and hold them to account. They won’t escape justice.”
A Foreign Office spokesperson mentioned: “We are disturbed by reports that aid worker Paul Urey may have been tortured in detention. It is essential that we see the results of a full post-mortem as soon as possible.
“Our ideas are with Paul Urey’s household at this distressing time.”
While she was foreign secretary, new Prime Minister Liz Truss demanded that Moscow bears the “full duty” over the death of Mr Urey.
His mother Linda Urey expressed her anger following his death, branding the separatists “murderers”, and asking: “Why did you let him die?”
Speaking on the time of his seize, Ms Urey instructed Sky News she had begged her son to not go to Ukraine.
She added: “He said, ‘Muma I can’t live with myself knowing people … need help to get to a safe place, I have to go. I would feel bad’.”
In May, Mr Urey’s daughters, 17-year-old Courtney and Chelsea, 20, instructed Sky News they have been “preparing for the worst”.
After Mr Urey’s seize, a video of him in handcuffs was broadcast on Russian tv, by which he mentioned he travelled to Ukraine as a result of he didn’t imagine the British media’s portrayal of the Russia invasion.
But his daughters instructed Sky News they imagine their father was underneath duress to make these statements.
“He’d never say anything against his own country, never,” Chelsea mentioned.
Source: information.sky.com”