Page:Seventh Report - Guns for gold- the Wagner Network exposed.pdf/25

Rh :* These actors lack the accountability systems of ordinary militaries123 —”deliberately so”. According to an ex-Wagner fighter, mercenaries “can act outside the law” and each is “forced to establish his own moral norms.”


 * Victims and investigatory bodies cannot easily determine the identity and organisation of mercenary fighters, and ‘Wagner’ itself is not a single legal entity with easily identifiable individuals and hierarchies;


 * Other than Ukraine, the Wagner Network often holds political sway in the countries where its fighters operate. It is also usually present at the explicit request of the host Government, which can result in a desire by national authorities to hide atrocities. This situation undermines the independence of national investigations and makes complaints less likely, especially where judicial independence is poor;


 * The Russian Government (and Russian courts ) have repeatedly obstructed efforts to investigate and/or challenge Wagner alleged crimes;


 * Wagner-like bodies and PMCs generally do not fit easily into the existing

international legal framework. Many have not subscribed to international voluntary initiatives promoting responsible activity (paragraph 79).

The response of the UK Government to the de facto impunity of Wagner fighters is discussed later in this report (paragraph 81)