The UK expands its new state-threats regime by formally designating three organizations as risks to national security on 17 July. The move makes support, assistance or receiving material benefit from the groups a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
Highlights
- UK Parliament approved the formal designation of the IRGC, IMCR, and Russia’s GRU Volunteer Corps under the National Security (State Threats) Act 2026 on 13 July.
- Expressing support, assisting, or receiving material benefit from these groups now constitutes a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years imprisonment.
- Acts committed on behalf of the designated groups, including sabotage, may be prosecuted under the National Security Act 2023 with penalties of up to life imprisonment.
Designation order and new offences
As reported by GOV.UK, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right, and Russia’s GRU Volunteer Corps are formally designated under the National Security (State Threats) Act 2026 after Parliament approved an order laid by the Home Secretary on 13 July.The designation means expressing support for the three bodies is now a criminal offence if a person glorifies or encourages activity that threatens the safety of the UK. Assisting the groups, or accepting or obtaining a material benefit such as payment from them, is also now a criminal offence.
Anyone found guilty of these offences could face up to 14 years imprisonment under the new powers.
Security impact and enforcement scope
Authorities also say that anyone committing other acts on behalf of these groups, including sabotage, could be prosecuted for separate offences under the National Security Act 2023.In those cases, penalties could extend to life imprisonment. The IRGC, IMCR and the GRU Volunteer Corps are the first three groups to be designated under the new state-threats powers, marking the initial use of the regime in the UK security framework.
Our earlier article covered a bipartisan push in the U.S. Senate to tighten economic pressure on Russia over the war in Ukraine through the proposed Sanctioning Russia Act. The draft outlined expanded primary and secondary sanctions on Russian officials, banks, and the so-called shadow fleet, alongside potential tariffs of up to 100% aimed at the largest importers of Russian oil and gas to curb sanctions evasion.
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