UK TO DECLARE WAGNER TERRORIST ORGANISATION

Wagner, the Russian mercenary group, is set to be proscribed as a terrorist group by the United Kingdom government, meaning it will be illegal to be a member or support the organisation. A draft order to be laid in Parliament will allow its assets to be categorised as terrorist property and seized. The home secretary Suella Braverman said Wagner was violent and destructive, a military tool of the Russian leader, Vladimir Putin. She said its work in Ukraine and Africa is a serious threat to global security.

Wagner had played a key role in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as operating in Syria and countries in Africa including Libya and Mali. Its fighters have been accused of a number crimes including killing and torturing Ukrainian citizens.