The Council of the EU imposed, on Saturday 25 February, sanctions on eleven individuals and seven entities linked to the Wagner Group “in view of the international dimension and gravity of the group’s activities, as well as its destabilising impact on the countries where it is active”, according to the EU Council’s statement.
The EU Council decided to list eight individuals and seven entities responsible for or involved in serious human rights violations in the Central African Republic and Sudan under the EU’s global human rights sanctions regime.
These include the security advisor to the Central African president, Wagner’s spokesperson in the country and members of the group who play an operational role or lead pro-Wagner propaganda and disinformation campaigns.
Lobaye Invest Sarlu and Diamville in CAR, Meroe Gold and M-Invest in Sudan and the head of the latter are sanctioned “ for their role in illegally trading gold and diamonds looted by force from local traders”. Sewa Security Services, which provides protection to senior Central African government officials and “serves as a cover for the Wagner Group’s activities in CAR”, is also sanctioned.
Similarly, the Foundation for the Defence of National Values (FDNV) - the Wagner Group’s public relations arm - and its director, as well as the Central African radio station Lengo Sengo, are listed.
The head of the Wagner Group in Mali, Ivan Aleksandrovich Maslov, is sanctioned under the Mali sanctions regime, considered by the EU to be responsible for actions threatening the peace, security or stability of the country.
Two commanders of Wagner’s forces actively involved in the capture of the Ukrainian city of Soledar in January 2023 were included in the list related to actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.
See the legal acts: https://aeur.eu/f/5if (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)