Wagner Group Now A Terrorist Organisation In UK : UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman described the Wagner Group as “violent and destructive” and referred to it as a “military tool of Vladimir Putin’s Russia.” She emphasized that the group’s activities in Ukraine and Africa posed a significant threat to global security.
London, 15 September, (City Times): Wagner Group Now A Terrorist Organisation In UK: The United Kingdom has officially declared the Russian mercenary organization known as the Wagner Group a terrorist organization. This decision, announced makes it illegal to be a member of or support this group. A draft order laid in the UK Parliament allows for the categorization of Wagner Group’s assets as terrorist property, which can be seized.
UK Home Secretary’s Statement
UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman described the Wagner Group as “violent and destructive” and referred to it as a “military tool of Vladimir Putin’s Russia.” She emphasized that the group’s activities in Ukraine and Africa posed a significant threat to global security. Braverman stated, “Wagner’s continuing destabilizing activities only continue to serve the Kremlin’s political goals.” She unequivocally labeled them as terrorists under UK law.(Wagner Group Now A Terrorist Organisation In UK)
Wagner Group’s Role in Conflict Zones
The Wagner Group has played a significant role in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and has been active in Syria, as well as various African countries, including Libya and Mali. Members of this group have been accused of numerous crimes, including killing and torturing Ukrainian citizens. In 2020, the US accused Wagner soldiers of planting landmines around Tripoli, Libya, and in July, the UK reported that the group had been involved in “executions and torture in Mali and the Central African Republic.” (Wagner Group Now A Terrorist Organisation In UK)
Uncertainty Surrounding Wagner’s Leadership
Earlier this year, the group’s leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, led a failed mutiny against Russia’s military leaders, casting uncertainty over the future of the Wagner Group. Tragically, Prigozhin died in a suspicious plane crash on August 23, along with other key figures of the organization, and was subsequently buried in St. Petersburg.(Wagner Group Now A Terrorist Organisation In UK)
Adding Wagner to the List of Proscribed Organizations
With this declaration, the Wagner Group joins the list of proscribed organizations in the UK, which includes entities like Hamas and Boko Haram. The Terrorism Act 2000 grants the home secretary the authority to proscribe organizations believed to be involved in terrorism. This designation will criminalize support for the group, encompassing activities like arranging meetings to further the organization’s goals, expressing support for its aims, or displaying its flag or logo. Violation of these proscription laws can lead to severe penalties, including up to 14 years in prison or fines of up to £5,000. (Wagner Group Now A Terrorist Organisation In UK)
Pressure and Criticism
The UK government faced mounting pressure from Members of Parliament (MPs) to proscribe the Wagner Group. Earlier this year, Labour’s shadow foreign secretary David Lammy called for this action, highlighting the group’s responsibility for atrocities in Ukraine and around the world. While welcoming the draft order, Lammy emphasized the need to hold Putin accountable through a Special Tribunal for his aggression. (Wagner Group Now A Terrorist Organisation In UK)
The Foreign Office had previously imposed sanctions on the group, including freezing the assets of Prigozhin and several top commanders. However, some MPs, like Conservative MP Alicia Kearns, argued that sanctions were insufficient and called for the Wagner Group to be labeled a terrorist organization. Kearns, who chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee, criticized the government for its lack of understanding of the group’s influence, particularly in African states. (Wagner Group Now A Terrorist Organisation In UK)
Impact on the Wagner Group
The Wagner Group’s power has been significantly diminished by its failed mutiny against Russia’s military leaders in June and the recent plane crash that claimed the lives of its top leadership. However, the UK’s formal proscription of the group will make it more challenging for its members to move money and assets, and it provides a legal basis for potential compensation claims against Wagner, potentially amounting to billions of pounds, through British courts. This move underscores the UK’s commitment to combatting global terrorism and holding those responsible for destabilizing activities accountable under the law.
