‘Didn’t act on her own’: Mother of British aid worker detained by Russians accused of state TV interview | World News
The mother of a handcuffed British aid worker on Russian television said he “didn’t act in his natural way” in the interview.
Paul Urey, 45, is one of two aid workers arrested at a checkpoint in southeastern Ukraine last Monday, April 25.
He was arrested along with his 22-year-old colleague Dylan Healy.
In the interview, Mr Urey stated he wanted to visit Ukraine “to see if it was as bad as the news said” but did not know if he said it coercively.
His mother, Linda, said: “I watched my son Paul Urey’s Russian TV interview.
“This is my son physically, but he doesn’t act in his natural way; his words are so real and his facial expressions make me not believe what he’s saying. Normally he talks quickly and walks away. into the heart.”
“I know my son is like every mother, and this is not natural for him.”
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Dylan Healy and Mr. Urey have worked in the humanitarian field. Photo: Allan Moore
‘I told him not to go’
The UK’s non-profit Presidium Network said Mr Urey was a “family man with children”, ineligible for military service and should pursue work in the humanitarian sector.
Mr. Urey last contacted the Presidency Network at 4 am. They have since received text messages from someone claiming to be a volunteer, but this person was unable to provide personal information to confirm their identity.
Ms Urey previously told Sky News his arrest had made her feel “dead”.
“I don’t know what to do anymore. It’s horrible,” she said.
Ms Urey added: “I told him not to go. I said please don’t go, he said: ‘Mom, I can’t live with myself knowing that people need my help to get to a place. safe. I have to go’.”
It comes after a British Army veteran was killed and another British man went missing after they were believed to have traveled to Ukraine to fight against Russian forces.
Scott Sibley, 36 years old, identified as First British citizen to die in war.
Scott Sibley was the first British to be killed in Ukraine
Injured Britons marched on state television
Andrew Hill was also parade on Russian state television after being captured by Russian forces, appeared with his left arm bandaged and another bandage around his head.
He was filmed during questioning, saying he had come to Ukraine on his own terms to help the country, Reuters reported.
Mr. Hill signaled to connect with the International Legion, a unit set up by the Ukrainian government for foreigners who want to fight to support the war effort.
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Earlier this month, two British boxers, Shaun Pinner and Aiden Aslin, were arrested by Moscow forces.
The couple was celebrated in Ukraine and appeared on Russian state television. They demanded in exchange for a Ukrainian politician close to the Russian President.
