A British aid worker who died while being held by pro-Russian separatists in the Donetsk region of Ukraine was "tortured to death" said a source within the penitentiary system.
Paul Urey, 45, died in captivity last Sunday, according to the human rights ombudsperson for the Moscow-supported leadership in Donetsk.
He was "tortured to death" said Vladimir Osechkin, founder of anti-torture group gulagu.net, a human rights group which campaigns against abuses in the Russian prison system.
“Our source said from 28 April 2022 the Brit (Paul Urey) was kept in Donetsk torture pre-trial detention centre, where torture experts from FSIN (Russian Penitentiary System) and FSB [Russian secret service] worked with him," he said.
“After communicating with him, the Brit suddenly got colossal health issues, related to disrupted work of kidneys and other vital organs.
“Exactly the same diagnoses are given by Russian prison doctors to those who are tortured to death in jails.
“Acute heart or kidney failure is when the quantity of haematomas and internal bleeding is so high, the body simply cannot cope without surgical intervention.”
Mr Osechkin posted the claim on his gulagu.net social media channel.
The human rights campaigner is on Russia ’s most-wanted list and he is living in exile after exposing mass rapes and tortures inside Russian jails.
He claimed the FSB pressure on Mr Urey was to find proof of foreign instructors working for Ukraine.
This pressure led to Mr Urey’s death, said Mr Osechkin’s source.
Mr Urey was captured in south east Ukraine in late April while attempting to help a woman who had been given permission to travel to Britain leave Russian-controlled territory, said Presidium Network, a charity which had advised him on safety.
He was stopped at a checkpoint, detained and charged with "mercenary activities" by separatists in the Donetsk People's Republic, a breakaway entity which is recognised only by Russia, Syria and North Korea.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has demanded that Moscow bears the "full responsibility" over the reported death.
His mother Linda Urey expressed her anger, branding the separatists "murderers", and asking: "Why did you let him die?"
Russian ambassador to the UK Andrei Kelin was summoned to the Foreign Office to face questioning over what happened to Mr Urey.
Daria Morozova, the ombudsperson, branded Mr Urey a "mercenary" and claimed he died in captivity on Sunday of chronic illnesses and stress.
"From our side, he was given the necessary medical assistance despite the grave crimes he committed," she added.
Ms Truss said she was "shocked" by reports of Mr Urey's death.
"Russia must bear the full responsibility for this," she said in a statement.
"Paul Urey was captured while undertaking humanitarian work. He was in Ukraine to try and help the Ukrainian people in the face of the unprovoked Russian invasion.
"The Russian government and its proxies are continuing to commit atrocities. Those responsible will be held to accountable. My thoughts are with Mr Urey's family and friends at this horrendous time."
