Paris: Trial of French Company “Lafarge” Begins on Charges of Financing Terrorism in Syria

The Criminal Court in Paris began on Tuesday the first hearings in the trial of the French company Lafarge in the case of financing terrorism in Syria, more than eight years after the judicial investigation into the company’s activities in the country was opened.

The company faces accusations of having, between 2012 and 2014, made financial arrangements with jihadist groups, including Jabhat al-Nusra and the Islamic State (ISIS), to ensure the continued operation of its cement plant in Jalabiya, northern Syria. It is also accused of paying intermediaries to protect the plant during the conflict that erupted in 2011.

Nine defendants are being tried in the case, including former CEO Bruno Lafont, five former operational or security executives, and two Syrian intermediaries, one of whom is wanted under an international arrest warrant. The charges include financing a terrorist organization and violating international financial sanctions imposed on Syria at the time.

Investigations indicate that the defendants knowingly took part in financing armed groups to serve the company’s economic interests, with payments estimated at around €5 million to ensure transportation and access to raw materials. The defense, however, argues that the company was a victim of an “extortion economy” in a dangerous area.

The court also addressed reports of contacts between the company’s security officials and French intelligence services, but judicial authorities stressed that this does not imply state approval of terrorism financing.

If convicted, Lafarge could face fines of up to €46 million, while executives could receive prison sentences of up to ten years. The company is also facing a separate judicial proceeding over complicity in crimes against humanity — a rare precedent for a commercial entity.

In October 2020, Lafarge admitted to paying approximately $6 million to the Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra, and agreed to pay a $778 million fine as part of a prior judicial settlement.