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European Union applies sanctions against Russian paramilitary group
Wagner, a paramilitary group linked to Russia, has had a significant presence in the conflicts in Libya and Ukraine and is now deployed in Africa
In the European Union, foreign ministers this week approved the sanction of the Wagner group of Russian mercenaries, which has a strong presence in Africa.
The sanctions were approved without prior debate at the council held in Brussels, Belgium.
The council of the European Union, through a statement, explained that Wagner has recruited, trained and deployed military operatives to conflict zones around the world to promote confrontations.
The statement adds that they have plundered natural resources and violated international civil rights.
They added that the EU blacklist includes individuals related to torture, executions, murders and violation of fundamental human rights.
Wagner is linked to activities that have destabilized countries, such as Libya, Ukraine, and Syria and the Central African Republic.
The statement notes that the mercenaries, who created the group in 2014, have extended their operations to other parts of the world, such as the Sahel region, posing a major threat to the region and the European Union.
European Union, together with the international community, has shown concern about the possible deployment of the mercenary group in Mali, which, according to what they indicate, the country's government has treaties with Wagner for internal security.
On Monday, the ministers would have advanced in the sanctioning measures for people who have links with the Malian government who are obstructing the change of government in a peaceful and civil manner.
They approved the sanctioning measures, but they have not yet stipulated with certainty which people or companies they are going to sanction.
The Council pointed out that the purpose of these sanctions applied to the Wagner group is to minimize their activities and safeguard the interests of the European Union in the region, also to apply significant measures against those who threaten the peace and security of Europe and the world.
The sanctions applied this Monday were approved under four distinctive points of the European Union: general sanctions for violating human rights, irregular activities in Libya and Syria and actions that violate the territorial integrity of Ukraine.
The measures, already published in the Official Journal of the European Union, consist of the prohibition of entry into the European territory belonging to the EU and the freezing of active accounts within the EU.
The European Union has classified Wagner as a Russian paramilitary company that is used to promote destabilization in Europe and undermine its security, in addition to operating with the same intentions in other countries.
