Massive evidence points to Wagner’s Prigozhin being “war criminal” – U.S. Attorney General

That’s according to the Voice of America, referring to Garland’s report at a Senate hearing on Wednesday, Ukrinform reports.

"Mr. Prigozhin, who runs this thing, is in my view a war criminal, Garland said, noting that enough evidence has been gathered to make such an assertion, also noting he is not in a position of a judge to hand down verdicts.

The Attorney General also recalled that Prigozhin’s Wagner Group – which the U.S. and Ukraine have recognized as a transnational criminal organization – is responsible for attacks on Ukrainians in Donbas, including by hiring Russian convicts to take part in hostilities on Ukrainian soil.

Read also: Russia using in Bakhmut Wagner fighters with Syria, Libya war experience

He also described Wagner’s actions in Ukraine as "unfathomable."

Answering Senator Lindsey Graham’s question of whether the U.S. should recognize Wagner a foreign terrorist organization, Garland said that this issue is within the competence of the U.S. Department of State.

He added that in his view, Wagner commits war crimes and harms the interests of the United States.

Graham co-authored the bill, which provides for the prosecution of Russian mercenaries, and demands that the State Department recognize the Wagner Group as a foreign terrorist organization. During the latest session, the draft was tabled in the Senate, but lawmakers had not enough time to vote for it before the end of the session.

Senator Graham concluded he was confident that senators would eventually agree on the bill.

Asked by senators whether Garland believes Russia is committing crimes against humanity in Ukraine, the attorney general answered affirmatively.

Read also: Kadyrov plans to create own PMC

When Graham asked Garland whether an international court should be created to investigate crimes of Russian aggression, Garland replied that the United States supports what is currently being develed in The Hague, and is considering the creation of such a court. He noted that Washington supports various ways of investigating war crimes, crimes against humanity, and potentially the crime of aggression.

During the hearing, the Attorney General also said that the U.S. is helping Ukraine investigate war crimes.

As reported, President Vodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine discussed with U.S. congressmen Ukraine's needs in terms of weapons and the need to creation a special tribunal for Russia’s crimes.