Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Foreign Affairs
Related: About this forumThe Intercept: Erik Prince Offered Lethal Services to Russian Mercenary Firm
Source: The Intercept
ERIK PRINCE OFFERED LETHAL SERVICES TO SANCTIONED RUSSIAN MERCENARY FIRM WAGNER
Matthew Cole, Alex Emmons
April 13 2020, 11:15 a.m.
ERIK PRINCE, FOUNDER of the private security firm Blackwater and a Trump administration adviser, has sought in recent months to provide military services to a sanctioned Russian mercenary firm in at least two African conflicts, according to three people with knowledge of the efforts.
Prince, who is the brother of Trump Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, met earlier this year with a top official of Russias Wagner Group and offered his mercenary forces to support the firms operations in Libya and Mozambique, according to two people familiar with Princes offer.
Wagner officials said they are not interested in working with Prince, three people familiar with their decision told The Intercept.
A lawyer for Prince denied that his client met anyone from Wagner.
The Wagner Group is a semi-private military force that operates in countries or conflicts where the Russian government seeks plausible deniability for its activities. It is often equipped and supported directly by the Russian Ministry of Defense, according to reports and experts who track Wagners activities. The U.S. State Department website also lists Wagner as an entity connected to the Defense Sector of the Government of the Russian Federation. Any business relationship between Prince and Wagner would, in effect, make the influential Trump administration adviser a subcontractor to the Russian military.
-snip-
Matthew Cole, Alex Emmons
April 13 2020, 11:15 a.m.
ERIK PRINCE, FOUNDER of the private security firm Blackwater and a Trump administration adviser, has sought in recent months to provide military services to a sanctioned Russian mercenary firm in at least two African conflicts, according to three people with knowledge of the efforts.
Prince, who is the brother of Trump Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, met earlier this year with a top official of Russias Wagner Group and offered his mercenary forces to support the firms operations in Libya and Mozambique, according to two people familiar with Princes offer.
Wagner officials said they are not interested in working with Prince, three people familiar with their decision told The Intercept.
A lawyer for Prince denied that his client met anyone from Wagner.
The Wagner Group is a semi-private military force that operates in countries or conflicts where the Russian government seeks plausible deniability for its activities. It is often equipped and supported directly by the Russian Ministry of Defense, according to reports and experts who track Wagners activities. The U.S. State Department website also lists Wagner as an entity connected to the Defense Sector of the Government of the Russian Federation. Any business relationship between Prince and Wagner would, in effect, make the influential Trump administration adviser a subcontractor to the Russian military.
-snip-
Read more: https://theintercept.com/2020/04/13/erik-prince-russia-mercenary-wagner-libya-mozambique/
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
3 replies, 1232 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (11)
ReplyReply to this post
3 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
The Intercept: Erik Prince Offered Lethal Services to Russian Mercenary Firm (Original Post)
Eugene
Apr 2020
OP
SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)1. He should already be in prison 🤬
K&R
Midnight Writer
(21,763 posts)2. The guy is already rich. He is now killing out of blood lust.
WVreaper
(620 posts)3. I would expect no less from Betsy Devos' brother