Wagner Group to be classed as terrorists

THE Home Office is planning to proscribe the Wagner Group as a terrorist organisation, The Daily Telegraph can disclose.

The mercenaries have played a key role in Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and are spearheading attempts to take the town of Bakhmut. Proscription would mean it becomes a criminal offence not just to belong to Wagner or attend its meetings but encourage support for it or carry its logo in public.

It would put Wagner on the same legal footing as groups such as al-qaeda and Islamic State. Such a step could have implications for the group’s ability to raise money, should any assets or revenue streams pass through UK financial institutions. It is understood discussions about proscription are at an early stage and are not as advanced as the planned ban on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Iran.

Whitehall insiders predicted the green light will be achieved much quicker than the IRGC.

A Government spokesman said: “While the government keeps the list of proscribed organisations under review, we do not comment on whether a specific organisation is or is not being considered for proscription.”