Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 19
19
Accepted in Part
Paragraph: 60
Prioritise introducing and enforcing travel bans for Wagner-linked individuals, collaborating with Turkey.
Recommendation
We further recommend that the Government prioritises introducing and enforcing travel bans for Wagner-linked individuals as a likely deterrent to involvement in the network, in particular working with Turkey, a popular holiday destination for Russians.
Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees that travel bans have a deterrent effect but states that UK sanctions have limited impact on travel to Turkey. They commit to continuing discussions with international partners on possible sanctions or travel bans they could adopt.
Paragraph Reference:
60
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
Partially agree. 19. We agree that travel bans have some deterrent effect, as well as an impact on the operations and morale of those designated and their networks. Designations made under UK autonomous sanctions regimes involving a travel ban on an individual only apply in relation to the UK. The individual becomes an excluded person under section 8B of the Immigration Act 1971, meaning that they must be refused leave to enter or to remain in the United Kingdom. UK designations involving travel bans would therefore have limited, if any, effect on Wagner-linked individuals’ travel to Turkey. We will continue to discuss with our international partners possible sanctions or travel bans they could adopt, as well as other steps to hold the Wagner Group accountable and to counter its destabilising and destructive activities.