UK and Russia Designate Wagner Group as Terrorist Organization... "Putin's Military Tool"

Joining or Supporting Wagner Group is Illegal

The UK government announced plans to designate the Russian mercenary company Wagner Group as a terrorist organization. Following the death of its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, it is expected that the Russian government will take over various Wagner Group assets scattered across Europe, initiating the movement of funds. This move is interpreted as a preemptive measure to block such activities.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

According to the UK BBC on the 5th (local time), the UK Home Office plans to submit a draft to Parliament to designate the Wagner Group as a terrorist organization, allowing the seizure of their assets within the UK. If the draft passes, the Wagner Group will be classified as a terrorist organization under anti-terrorism laws, and not only will their assets be seized, but acts of supporting or aiding the Wagner Group will become illegal, punishable by imprisonment or fines.

Suella Braverman, the UK Home Secretary who holds the authority to designate terrorist organizations, stated, "They are clear terrorists," and added, "This designation, to be submitted to Parliament, will clarify this under UK law." She further pointed out, "The Wagner Group is merely a violent and destructive military tool of Russian President Vladimir Putin," and "Their ongoing activities to incite unrest only contribute to the Kremlin's political objectives."

So far, organizations designated as terrorist groups by the UK include Hamas, the Palestinian armed faction, and Boko Haram, an Islamic extremist armed group in Africa. The Wagner Group notably holds various types of assets across Europe, and with Prigozhin's death, Russian authorities have begun disposing of these assets. The BBC explained that this designation as a terrorist organization is seen as a measure to seize those assets.

Meanwhile, although the Wagner Group continues to face a leadership vacuum, its future remains uncertain. While some other Russian mercenary companies have started recruiting Wagner Group mercenaries, it has not yet been decided whether the Russian government will fully incorporate the organization into the Russian Ministry of Defense.

According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), another Russian mercenary company, Redut, has recently been recruiting Wagner Group mercenaries who participated in the war against Ukraine.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.