Tragic Briton ‘tortured by Putin’s crooks’: Sister speaks out in war of words with Russia as diabetic aid worker dies in prison after being arrested over mercenary false claims
- Paul Urey, 45, a diabetes care worker died behind bars in Russian-occupied Ukraine
- The father of two had his sister, Lyndsey Coulton, speak to the State Department
- His death has sparked a furious diplomatic dispute between the UK and Russia
- Foreign Minister Liz Truss said last night: ‘Russia must bear full responsibility’
A British aid worker who died behind bars in Russian-occupied Ukraine was tortured by Vladimir Putinhis accomplices, his sister said last night.
Her claims about Paul Urey, 45, a type 1 diabetic, were shockingly supported by a human rights group who said his death echoed those of others tortured in Russian prisons.
Mr. Urey’s sister, Lyndsey Coulton, spoke out after the State Department notified the family of the death of the father of two. It came into the hands of separatists in the Donetsk region after more than ten weeks of captivity. ‘[The Russians] did something to him, I think they tortured him,” she said.
‘Officially he died of a chronic illness and’ depression, but I don’t think it was.’ She added: ‘More could have been done to save him. Why didn’t he participate in a prisoner swap?’ Vladimir Osechkin, founder of anti-torture group Gulagu, backed her claims.
Paul Urey, 45, a British aid worker captured by Russian forces in Ukraine on April 25, died of “illness and stress” while in prison on July 10, Moscow-backed separatists said.
Linda Urey, Paul’s mother (pictured when he was originally captured), has labeled his jailers “damned killers” who “let him die”
‘Our source said of April 28, 2022′ [Paul Urey] was detained in the Donetsk remand center where torture experts from the FSIN (the Russian penitentiary system) and the FSB (the Russian secret service) worked with him,” he said. The Briton suddenly developed colossal health problems related to impaired functioning of kidneys and other vital organs. Exactly the same diagnoses are given by Russian prison doctors to those who are tortured to death in prisons.’
Mr Urey’s death has sparked a furious diplomatic dispute between the UK and Russia.
Last night, his mother Linda Urey, 62, who had a special bond with her son after she was reunited after he was put up for adoption, said of his captors: “Murders, that’s you, murderers. I hate you all. I told you he was sick, I told you he had diabetes.’
Liz Truss has summoned the Russian ambassador and said the country must ‘bear full responsibility’ for Mr Urey’s death
Mr Urey, from Culcheth near Warrington, worked for the humanitarian organization the Presidium Network, trying to rescue women and children from Ukrainian villages near the front lines. He was detained at a Russian checkpoint on April 25 and charged with “mercenary activities.” Before his death, Urey was held on Ukrainian territory occupied by pro-Russian separatists.
They have established a people’s republic and swore allegiance to Moscow. Daria Morozova, the official of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), claimed that “British representatives ignored the opportunity to negotiate his return” and claimed that they “had not provided necessary medical supplies through the Red Cross”.
Foreign Minister Liz Truss led a chorus of outrage last night, saying: “Russia must take full responsibility. He helped the Ukrainian people during the unprovoked invasion. Those responsible will be held accountable.’
The UK’s refusal to recognize the DPR may have been an obstacle in negotiating the release of Mr Urey and those of other imprisoned Britons. Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner are awaiting execution as they have been found guilty of the false mercenary charge.