A British aid worker detained by Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine and accused of being a mercenary has died, an official of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) said today.
aul Urey, 45, was imprisoned in southeastern Ukraine in late April and charged with “rental activity” by separatists in the DPR, a breakaway entity recognized only by Russia, Syria and North Korea.
Daria Morozova, who holds the title of human rights ombudsman in the DPR, said on social media that Urey suffered from diabetes and respiratory, kidney and cardiovascular problems.
“For our part, despite the seriousness of the alleged crime, Paul Urey received appropriate medical attention. However, given the diagnoses and stress, he died on July 10,” she said.
Urey and another Briton, Dylan Healy, were detained by the Russian army in late April. The head of Presidium Network, a non-profit aid organization with which Urey was in contact, told ITV News in May that he had diabetes.
Two other Britons and a Moroccan man captured while fighting for Ukraine have been sentenced to death in the DPR for mercenary soldiers.
The British BBC quoted Presidium Network founder Dominik Byrne as saying that Urey was a humanitarian volunteer detained at a checkpoint in southern Ukraine.
“This is disturbing news, but this has not yet been verified by any authority and investigations are underway to establish the truth,” Byrne said after the report of Urey’s death.
More to follow