Britain will list the private military group Wagner as a terrorist organization, making it illegal to join or support the group.
The British Home Office said on September 6 that it would present a draft bill to parliament today to designate assets of the private military group Wagner as terrorist assets and allow for confiscation. Acts such as joining or promoting Wagner as well as wearing its symbols in public could result in up to 14 years in prison. The order is expected to be approved by parliament and take effect on September 13.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman described Wagner members as "violent and destructive". "They are terrorists and this action makes that clear under British law," Braverman said.
Braverman also accused Wagner of “posing a threat to global security” in Ukraine, the Middle East and Africa. Under the Terrorism Act 2000, the Home Secretary has the power to ban an organisation if he believes it is involved in terrorism.
Wagner soldiers withdraw from the city of Rostov-on-Don, Rostov province, Russia on the night of June 24. Photo: AFP
Commenting on the British announcement, the Kremlin said Wagner does not legally exist, as Russian law does not specifically regulate private military companies like Wagner.
In 2020, Britain imposed sanctions on Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin. In March 2022, after the war in Ukraine broke out, Britain imposed sanctions on the entire group. In July, London also sanctioned individuals and businesses linked to Wagner in the Central African Republic, Mali and Sudan.
Wagner played a key role in supporting Russian regular forces in the conflict in Ukraine. In June, Wagner led rebels and later moved to Belarus, without being prosecuted in Russia. Prigozhin was killed in a plane crash on August 23.
Ngoc Anh (According to AFP/Reuters )
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