LONDON: The UK government on Monday announced plans to ban Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), describing it as a threat to national security.
“Anyone found supporting or assisting these groups will now face up to 14 years in prison,” Prime Minister Keir Starmer said about the proposed law to be presented to parliament this week.
The proposed legislation would grant the British government powers similar to proscription, enabling it to designate foreign state proxies considered a threat to the country’s national security.
“The move will step up the government’s ability to counter state threats linked to foreign powers, including espionage, foreign interference in our democracy, sabotage and physical attacks,” the Home Office said in a statement.
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Under the proposed legislation, prosecutors would no longer be required to prove a foreign state connection in cases involving groups designated under the new law.
“The United Kingdom has identified activity linked to the IRGC involving threats to life and intimidation on UK soil,” Home Office minister Angela Eagle said in a written statement.
“The government fast-tracked legislation to bring in new powers after the abhorrent antisemitic attacks in north London,” the Home Office said in a statement.
Last month, 22 countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, and several European nations, accused Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Quds Force of orchestrating plots targeting Iranian dissidents, journalists, and Jewish communities.
“Iran and Russia are using proxies and thugs to do their dirty work on our shores. I have rapidly designated three groups so those working for them will be tracked down and put behind bars,” Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said.
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The IRGC was established after the 1979 revolution to defend the country’s new Islamic system.
In January this year, the European Union also added the IRGC to its terror list, following its reported role in brutal crackdowns on Iranian protesters in Iran the same month.
