Among the countless violations of international law committed by Russia’s armed forces in the course of their brutal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, the acts of violence perpetrated by their semi-autonomous, ragtag so-called ‘Wagner Group’ private army stand out for their particular viciousness, cruelty and systematic use.
Employed and protected by Russia to further its interests in various trouble spots – especially in Central Africa and the Middle East – the Wagner Group is increasingly acting independently. In its growing reliance on Russian murder convicts who have been specially released and pardoned for the purpose, Wagner is now emerging as a tangible security risk for the international community at large.
There is therefore every reason for the member States of the Council of Europe and beyond to declare the Wagner Group as forming a terrorist organisation – as for instance the United States did in January 2023, by choosing to designate the Wagner mercenary group a "transnational criminal organisation" and by hitting the Group with sanctions, freezing its assets and limiting its ability to cause harm around the world.
The Parliamentary Assembly, in conclusion, is asked to take up this matter for further consideration as early as possible with a view to obstructing as far as possible the ongoing activities of the Wagner Group – above all in Ukraine, but beyond that also in the world at large.