British Home Secretary Priti Patel has banned American neo-Nazi, white supremacist group The Base, calling it a terrorist organisation. As a result of Patel’s decision, which is subject to approval by the British Members of Parliament, being a member of The Base or supporting the group will be a criminal offence that could attract a prison sentence of up to 14 years. Once approved, the law will come into force by the end of the week.
Announcing her decision on Monday, Patel said, “We continue to take robust action against evil white supremacist groups, who target vulnerable people across the world to join in their hateful ideologies and their sick promotion of violence.” She added, “I am committed to making it as difficult as possible for these organisations to operate in the UK, both by banning them and increasing the penalties for membership or support, to protect the public and our national security.”
According to a statement published by the United Kingdom (UK) government, the decision will assist the police in disrupting the group’s activities, which pose an imminent threat to national security. It also “sends a strong message that The Base’s ideology and their actions are unacceptable and won’t be tolerated in the UK.”
The Base, founded in 2018, became the subject of a BBC investigation which found that the group’s leader, Rinaldo Nazzaro, was running operations from Russia. A statement by the Home Office spokesperson mentioned that Nazzaro “has also published a series of videos under his alias, covering topics including ‘lone wolf’ activity, advocating guerrilla warfare and leaderless resistance.”
Since its establishment, the group has gained momentum through social media and spreads its messages via encrypted chats. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) stated that it is a “racially motivated violent extremist group” that “seeks to accelerate the downfall of the United States government, incite a race war, and establish a white ethnostate.” They also encourage members, who are recruited from the UK and other countries, to take up paramilitary training. Consequently, several members have been arrested by American authorities on charges including conspiracy to murder, while American intelligence agencies are closely monitoring others.
The Base is the fifth extremist right-wing group banned under the United Kingdom’s terror laws. Other right-wing groups that British authorities have banned include the National Action, Sonnenkrieg Division, and Feuerkrieg Division.
UK Home Secretary Patel Bans White Supremacist Group The Base
British Home Secretary Priti Patel announced her decision to criminalise The Base, a neo-Nazi, white supremacist group.
July 13, 2021
SOURCE: THE FERRET