French Cement Company Lafarge Guilty of Financing ISIS and Nusra in Syria
Key Takeaways
- Lafarge found guilty of funding ISIS and Nusra Front to keep Syria plant running, €5.59m.
- Bruno Lafont ex-CEO sentenced to six years; eight executives convicted.
- Ruling described as a landmark corporate conviction in France.
Lafarge Terror Financing
A French court found cement company Lafarge guilty of financing armed groups during the Syrian war.
The Paris court found that Lafarge paid nearly €5.6 million via its subsidiary Lafarge Cement Syria to terror groups.
The company's former chief executive, Bruno Lafont, was sentenced to six years in prison.
The presiding judge said this method of financing terrorist organisations was essential in enabling IS to gain control of Syria's natural resources.
The court ruled that Lafarge established a genuine commercial partnership with IS.
Payments and Operations
Lafarge paid about $972,000 directly to terrorist groups, including more than $584,000 to ISIS.
Payments were made to secure supply routes and ensure the movement of employees and goods.
Prosecutors argued that the company made a deliberate choice to prioritize economic interests over security risks.
The Jalabiya plant was eventually evacuated in September 2014 as ISIS advanced in the region.
The court ordered the company and four former executives to pay a customs fine of approximately €4.5 million.
Executives Sentenced
Eight former Lafarge employees were found guilty of financing terrorism.
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Former CEO Bruno Lafont was jailed for six years.
Former deputy managing director Christian Herrault was given a five-year prison sentence.
Syrian intermediary Firas Tlass was sentenced in absentia to seven years in prison.
The French national counter-terrorism prosecutor's office said Lafarge was guilty of funding terrorist organisations with a single aim: profit.
Syrian Employees and Compensation
The legal case began in November 2016 when 11 former Syrian employees filed a complaint.
Former employees said they would continue to ask for compensation.
The European Center reported that Syrian employees were still awaiting compensation.
Holcim has said it had no knowledge of the Syria dealings.
A second case concerning complicity in crimes against humanity is ongoing.
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