The European Union Gives Additional Sanctions To Wagner Group Soldiers Due To Human Rights Violations In Africa

Wagner Group is a security service provider and mercenaries headquartered in St Petersburg, Russia. (TAS/Valentin Yegorshin)

JAKARTA - The European Union on Saturday announced additional sanctions against individuals in Russian mercenaries WagnerGroup for human rights violations in three African countries.

According to the European Council, eight individuals and seven entities linked to the group were added to the EU's list of sanctions for asset freezes and travel bans in the Central African Republic, Mali and Sudan.

WagnerGroup, who has long been a worrying issue in West Africa, has been sanctioned by the European Union in 2021.

The additional sanctions were imposed for international reasons and the group's level of crime activities, as well as the impact that could disrupt the stability of the countries where the group operates.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Wagner's activities were not only a threat to people in several countries where they operate, but also the European Union.

"They threaten international peace and security because they do not operate within any legal framework. The European Union is determined to continue to take concrete action against violations of international law," Borrell said.

Those who have been sanctioned by the European Union are those who are active in the Central African Republic, Sudan and Mali.

The European Union said the leadership of Wagner forces was involved in violence and various human rights violations, including killings without legal proceedings.

Individuals sanctioned in the Central African Republic are Wagner officials, including presidential security adviser Faustin Archange Toudera and a spokesman for the group in the country.

The sanctions also include gold and diamond companies associated with Wagner in the Central African Republic and Sudan for their role in the illegal trade in gold and diamonds forcibly looted from local traders.

Meanwhile in Ukraine, EU sanctions target two Wagner Group forces commanders who are actively involved in the race for the city of Soleredar in January.

The European Union also prohibits EU citizens and companies from funding individuals and entities on the sanctions list.