Britain preparing to proscribe Wagner Group as terrorist organization - The Telegraph

The UK Home Office is drawing up plans to formally proscribe Russian mercenaries the Wagner Group as a terrorist organization.

That's according to The Telegraph, Ukrinform reports.

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 mean putting Wagner on the similar legal footing of notorious terror groups such as Al-Qaeda, the perpetrators of the September 11 attacks, and the jihadists Isil," the article reads.

Such a step could have knock-on implications for the group's money-raising abilities should any assets or revenue streams run through UK financial institutions.

According to The Telegraph, discussions about proscription are at an early stage and are not as advanced as the planned proscription of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). At the same time, a final decision on Wagner proscription has not been taken, but Whitehall insiders predicted the green light will be achieved much quicker than the IRGC given the severity of the situation in Ukraine and the unity on the issue across Whitehall.

Foreign office ministers will appear before the committee on Monday to discuss Wagner and its activities.