The Council of the European Union Saturday imposed additional sanctions and measures against the Russia-affiliated Wagner paramilitary group for human rights abuses taking place in their areas of operation. This follows previous EU sanctions against the Wagner Group introduced in 2021 over the group’s alleged human rights violations.

The Wagner group is a Russian private military group which is active in African countries including Mali, Libya, the Central African Republic and Sudan. They are also currently active in Ukraine, which resulted in the EU imposing restrictive measures against them in 2014 for “undermining the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence” of the country.

According to the EU press release, a total of eight individuals and seven entities who are responsible or involved in human rights abuses have been sanctioned by the Council in this latest round. This includes the security advisor to the Central African Republic’s president, Faustin-Archange Touadéra. The listed individuals and entities are subject to an asset freeze and travel ban.

High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borell says that the “Wagner group’s activities are a threat for the people in countries where they operate” and that they “endanger international peace and security” due to the fact that their actions operate outside of any legal framework. He states that the EU will continue to take action against the group in order to quell human rights breaches and support International law and human rights.