French cement giant Lafarge guilty of financing ISIL in Syria

French cement company Lafarge and eight of its former employees were found guilty in a French court of financing the terrorist group ISIL. The charges stem from Lafarge's operations in Syria between 2011 and 2014. The company reportedly paid millions of euros to ISIL and other armed groups in order to keep its cement plant in operation despite the ongoing Syrian civil war. These payments were allegedly made to ensure the safety of employees and to maintain business interests in the region. The verdict marks a significant moment in holding corporations accountable for their actions in conflict zones.

A French court convicted cement maker Lafarge for financing terrorist groups, including ISIS, to maintain operations at its Syrian plant from 2013 to 2014. The company was fined over €1 million, and former CEO Bruno Lafont received a six-year prison sentence for financing terrorism. Lafarge, now part of Holcim, paid nearly €5.6 million through its subsidiary to ensure the plant's operation in northern Syria during the civil war. The court found Lafarge established a "genuine commercial partnership with IS," enabling the group to control resources and finance terrorist acts. This follows a 2022 US case where Lafarge pleaded guilty to conspiring to provide material support to terrorists and agreed to pay a $778 million fine.

A French court has found cement company Lafarge guilty of financing armed groups during the Syrian war. The ruling concludes a long-running investigation into the company's activities in Syria between 2011 and 2015. Lafarge was accused of paying millions of dollars to groups, including the Islamic State, to keep its cement plant operating in the region despite the escalating conflict. The payments were allegedly made to ensure the safety of employees and maintain business operations. This is a landmark case, as it marks one of the first times a corporation has been convicted of such charges related to terrorism financing.