The UK government is moving to designate the Russian mercenary group known as Wagner as a terrorist organization, making it illegal to be associated with or support the group. A forthcoming order to be presented in Parliament will enable the authorities to classify its assets as terrorist property and seize them.

The home secretary, Suella Braverman, characterized Wagner as a "violent and destructive" entity that acts as a military instrument for Vladimir Putin's Russia. Braverman emphasized that Wagner's activities in Ukraine and various African countries pose a significant threat to global security, asserting that their actions align with the political objectives of the Kremlin.

In her statement, Braverman made it clear that Wagner is considered terrorists under UK law, stating, "They are terrorists, plain and simple - and this proscription order makes that clear in UK law."

Wagner has played a significant role in Russia's invasion of Ukraine and has also been active in Syria and several African nations, including Libya and Mali. The group's members have faced accusations of various crimes, including the killing and torture of Ukrainian civilians.

In 2020, the United States accused Wagner soldiers of planting landmines in the vicinity of Tripoli, Libya. Additionally, in July, the United Kingdom alleged that the group had been involved in executing and torturing individuals in Mali and the Central African Republic.

Earlier this year, the future of the Wagner Group was cast into uncertainty when its leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, led an unsuccessful rebellion against Russia's military leadership. Prigozhin, who established the group in 2014, died in a suspicious plane crash alongside other prominent Wagner figures on August 23 and was subsequently buried in St. Petersburg.

The designation of Wagner as a terrorist organization will place it in the same category as other proscribed groups in the UK, such as Hamas and Boko Haram. Under the Terrorism Act of 2000, the home secretary possesses the authority to proscribe an organization if there are concerns about its involvement in terrorism.

Prior to the enactment of this act, it was only possible to proscribe organizations linked to terrorism within Northern Ireland. The proscription order will render it a criminal offense to provide support to the group, encompassing activities like arranging meetings to further its objectives, expressing endorsement of its aims, or displaying its flag or emblem.

Individuals found guilty of committing a proscription offense could face penalties of up to 14 years in prison or fines of up to £5,000. Pressure from Members of Parliament had been mounting for some time for the government to proscribe the Wagner Group.

Earlier this year, David Lammy, Labour's shadow foreign secretary, called upon the government to proscribe Wagner, citing its responsibility for heinous acts in Ukraine and across the globe. Lammy welcomed the draft order, emphasizing that it was overdue, and urged the government to advocate for a Special Tribunal to hold Putin accountable for his acts of aggression.

While the Foreign Office had previously imposed sanctions on the group, including freezing the assets of Prigozhin and several high-ranking commanders, some officials argued that sanctions alone were insufficient. Alicia Kearns, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee and a Conservative MP, expressed the view that the UK needed to officially designate the Wagner Group as a terrorist organization. Her committee's report criticized the government for its lack of understanding regarding Wagner's influence beyond Europe, particularly its hold on African states.

The Wagner Group's strength has been significantly diminished due to its failed rebellion against Russian generals in June and the recent fatal plane crash involving its top leadership, according to BBC Security Correspondent Frank Gardner.

However, formally proscribing it as a terrorist organization will create obstacles for members in terms of financial transactions and will provide a legal foundation for Ukrainians and others to pursue substantial compensation claims against Wagner through British courts.