The British Foreign Ministry summoned Russian ambassador Andrey Kerin on Friday following reports that a British aid volunteer died in custody.
According to Daria Morozova, a self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) ombudsman, 45-year-old Paul Urey died of illness and stress.
Urey was arrested in April in an attempt to help evacuate a woman and her two children. He was detained in DPR and accused of being a mercenary. This is a crime that can be sentenced to death under the law of the administration.
In a statement issued following the report, British Foreign Minister Liz Truss said:Russia has to endure [sic] Full responsibility for this.
“Paul Urey was captured during a humanitarian activity. He was in Ukraine to try to help the Ukrainian people in the face of an unprovoked Russian invasion. And her agent continue to commit atrocities. The person responsible will be held liable, “she said.
Truss added that her idea was “at this terrifying time” with Urey’s family and friends.
Sir Tim Burrow, Second Standing Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is expected to urge Russia to reveal Urey’s status.
Barrow requires Russia to fulfill all its obligations under international humanitarian law, including respecting and protecting all civilians.
He also holds Russia, where the United Kingdom does not recognize DPR, the self-proclaimed People’s Republic of Luhansik, and other non-government-controlled areas of Ukraine as independent states and is therefore responsible for the safety and welfare of civilians in these areas. It is expected to clarify what you are doing.
In April, the British charity Presidium Network, which supports Kyiv, said it was in contact with Urey and another British volunteer, 22-year-old Dylan Healy.
According to charity, the pair was arrested on April 25 at a checkpoint in Zaporizhia, southern Ukraine, trying to help evacuate a woman and her two children.
He also said he was not qualified for the army because he was a “man in a family with children.”
However, Morozova accused Urey of being a “professional soldier” and claimed that he led the military operation, recruited and trained Ukrainian mercenaries, and fought in other conflicts.
According to TASS, Morozova said Urey was detained in a local penal institution and was diagnosed with several chronic illnesses, including type 1 diabetes, respiratory and kidney disorders, and cardiovascular disease.
Morozova also said Urey was depressed “because he was indifferent to his fate in his hometown.”
She accused British authorities of not responding to the capture of Urey and “not providing the necessary medicines through the ICRC.” [International Committee of the Red Cross]..
Both Urey and Healy were charged with “mercenary” activities. This is the same crime that led to the death sentences of the Britons Aiden Aslin and Sean Pinner, as well as the Moroccans.
Another Briton, Andrew Hill, 35, faces the same guilt.
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Lily Zhou is a freelance writer who primarily covers the UK news of The Epoch Times.