Wagner is terrorist force, insists Labour

THE Wagner Group of Russian mercenaries should be proscribed by the UK Government as a terrorist organisation, Labour has said.

Fighters in the notorious group have been accused of war crimes in Ukraine, including killing and torturing civilians.

Wagner mercenaries – who are often drawn from prisons – are also playing a major role in Russia’s efforts to take control of the city of Bakhmut, in eastern Ukraine.

Designating the group as a terrorist organisation would make it a criminal offence to belong to the organisation, attend its meetings, encourage its support or carry its logo in public.

In a joint statement, David Lammy, Labour’s shadow foreign secretary, and Yvette Cooper, shadow home secretary, said: “The Wagner Group is responsible for the appalling atrocities in Ukraine and across the world.

“No one in the UK should be allowed to belong to the Wagner Group, support it or promote it. One year on from Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, we need to hold those responsible for supporting its barbaric agenda to account.”

The Wagner Group is run by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the warlord who has been nicknamed “Putin’s chef”, because he provided catering for the Kremlin.

The Home Office is reportedly considering proscribing the group. The process involves building a case for why the legal step is necessary, which can include classified intelligence.

Labour has also recently called for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to be proscribed – another move being mulled by ministers.

The Home Office has previously said it does not comment on the proscription process until announcements are made.

A government spokesman said: “The UK already has considerable powers to sanction Russian entities, which we have used with our allies to significant effect.

“The UK has sanctioned more than 1,500 individuals since the invasion.”