French cement giant Lafarge convicted of financing terrorism in Syria
Paris court Monday convicted French cement giant Lafarge and 8 former executives of financing terrorism, ruling they paid jihadist groups millions to keep Syrian plant running during civil war. Former CEO Bruno Lafont sentenced to 6 years in prison immediately, with 7 others receiving 18 months to 7 years. Company fined €1.125 million ($1.32 million), plus joint €4.57 million ($5.35 million) customs fine for violating international sanctions.
Lafarge paid approximately $5.9 million to three terrorist organizations—including ISIS and Al-Nusrah Front—between August 2013 and October 2024 through monthly "security payments" and raw material purchases, which investigators said helped fund the 2015 France terror attacks. The company aimed to keep its $680 million Jalabiyeh plant in northern Syria operational despite the escalating war, evacuating foreign staff in 2012 but leaving Syrian employees behind.
Sherpa NGO called the verdict "historic and highly symbolic," noting this is the first time a French multinational has been convicted of financing terrorism. The ruling sets a critical precedent for multinational corporations operating in conflict zones like parts of West Africa, showing they can be held accountable for crimes related to their operations abroad.
This case raises serious questions about ethical business practices in conflict zones. If Lafarge can be held accountable in France for actions in Syria, what does this mean for multinational companies operating in Nigeria's troubled regions? Should companies prioritize profits over local safety when operating in areas with security challenges?