PARIS, France — A French court has found Lafarge guilty of financing terrorism, ruling that the company paid millions of dollars to armed groups, including Islamic State, to maintain operations at its cement plant in northern Syria during the civil war.
The court said Lafarge made payments of about $6.5 million between 2013 and 2014 to various militant factions controlling territory around its Jalabiya facility, in order to secure staff movement, ensure access to raw materials and keep production running.
According to the ruling, the payments extended to the Islamic State as well as the Nusra Front, both designated terrorist organisations.
Presiding judge Isabelle Prevost-Desprez said the financial arrangements enabled the groups to strengthen their control over resources and fund operations beyond Syria’s borders.
“The payments were essential in enabling terrorist organisations to gain control of resources and finance attacks within the region and abroad,” she said.
Executives Sentenced
The court also convicted eight former employees in connection with the case.
Former chief executive Bruno Lafont was sentenced to six years in prison, while former deputy managing director Christian Herrault received a five-year sentence.
A former Syrian executive, Firas Tlass, was sentenced in absentia to seven years.
Company Response
Lafarge, now owned by Holcim, said it accepted the court’s ruling, describing the case as a legacy issue involving actions that violated internal policies.
“We acknowledge the court’s findings,” the company said in a statement. “These actions, which date back more than a decade, were in flagrant violation of Lafarge’s code of conduct.”
Background to the Case
Lafarge acquired the Jalabiya cement plant in 2008 and began operations in 2010, shortly before Syria descended into civil war.
Despite escalating violence and the emergence of militant groups, the company continued operations, making payments until September 2014 to maintain its presence in the region.
The case is one of the most significant corporate prosecutions linked to the Syrian conflict, raising broader questions about the responsibilities of multinational companies operating in high-risk environments.
