The UK Home Office has announced its intention to classify the Russian mercenary group Wagner as a terrorist organization. A draft order to proscribe Wagner Group will be presented in Parliament.
This designation will make it illegal to be associated with or support Wagner Group, and their assets can be seized as terrorist property. Violations of this proscription can result in sentences of up to 14 years in prison.
The decision to proscribe Wagner Group was made based on the nature and extent of their activities and the threat they pose to British nationals abroad, according to the Home Office.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman stated, “Wagner is a violent and destructive organization that has served as a military instrument of Vladimir Putin’s Russia abroad.
They are terrorists, plain and simple, and this proscription order makes that clear in UK law. Wagner has been involved in looting, torture, and heinous murders, posing a threat to global security. This move aims to support Ukraine in its struggle against Russia.”
This decision follows the recent death of Wagner’s chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin, in a plane crash, which occurred after he mounted a short-lived rebellion against Russia’s military leadership, challenging President Vladimir Putin’s authority.
