PARIS — France’s National Assembly voted Tuesday to designate Russia’s paramilitary Wagner group as a terrorist entity.
All lawmakers present in parliament — 331 in total — voted in favor of the resolution, which is non-binding.
The resolution calls on the European Union to register Wagner on the EU list of terrorist groups.
“This resolution and its European scope aims … at reinforcing legal tools against [the Wagner group].
Putting Wagner on the EU list of terror organizations would deal yet another blow to the group, argues Haddad, as it would reinforce “systematic tools” against the organization, meaning “anyone linked to Wagner could be prosecuted on terrorism charges.”.
France has come under pressure from the Wagner group in Africa, where Paris’s influence is waning.
In January, French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu said the Wagner group “had made France its number one enemy in Africa” and was targeting French interests. »
