Paul Urey died in July after being accused of “collusion” in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic in eastern Ukraine. The 45-year-old, from Warrington, Cheshire, was arrested at a checkpoint outside the south-eastern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia in April, along with a fellow British volunteer, Dylan Healy. In a statement on Wednesday night, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said “the Russians have returned the body” of Mr Urey after claiming he died of “diseases” and “stress”. Mr Kuleba said the Briton’s body bore “marks of possible unspeakable torture”. “The detention and torture of civilians is barbarism and a heinous war crime,” he said. “My deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Paul Urie (sic). “He was a brave man who dedicated himself to saving people. Ukraine will never forget him and his actions. “We will find the perpetrators of this crime and hold them accountable. They will not escape justice.” A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are disturbed by reports that humanitarian Paul Urey may have been tortured in detention. It is important to see the results of a full autopsy as soon as possible. “Our thoughts are with Paul Urey’s family at this difficult time.” While she was foreign secretary, new prime minister Liz Truss called on Moscow to take “full responsibility” for Mr Urey’s death. His mother Linda Urey expressed her outrage after his death, calling the separatists “murderers” and asking: “Why did you let him die?” Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 1:29 Apr 2022 – Missing helper’s mum: ‘He’s so kind!’ Speaking at the time of his arrest, Mrs Urey told Sky News she had begged her son not to go to Ukraine. She added: “He said, ‘mum I can’t live with myself knowing that people… need help to get to a safe place, I have to go. I would feel bad.” In May, Mr Urey’s daughters Courtney, 17, and Chelsea, 20, told Sky News they were “preparing for the worst”. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 0:29 May 2022 – British prisoner’s daughters ‘prepare for worst’ After Mr Urey’s arrest, a video of him in handcuffs was broadcast on Russian television, in which he said he traveled to Ukraine because he did not believe the British media’s portrayal of the invasion of Russia. But his daughters told Sky News they believe their father was under pressure to make those statements. “He would never say anything against his country, ever,” Chelsea said.
