French cement maker Lafarge found guilty of financing jihadists in Syria

In a landmark ruling, a Paris court has found the French cement giant Lafarge guilty of financing terrorism, a decision that sends a stark warning to multinational corporations operating in conflict zones. The court determined that Lafarge's Syrian subsidiary paid a staggering $6.53 million to designated terrorist organizations, including the Islamic State (IS) and the al-Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front, between 2013 and September 2014. This illicit funding was solely to ensure the continued operation of its plant in northern Syria during the height of the country's brutal civil war.

The presiding judge, Isabelle Prevost-Desprez, unequivocally stated that the payments were made for purely economic reasons, enabling Lafarge to maintain its business interests. She described the arrangement as a "genuine commercial partnership with the Islamic State," highlighting the disturbing lengths to which the company went to secure its operations. This verdict is significant as it marks the first time a company has been tried and convicted in France for financing terrorism, underscoring the judiciary's commitment to holding corporations accountable for their actions in volatile regions.

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It is clear to the court that the sole purpose of the funding of a terrorist organization was to keep the Syrian plant running for economic reasons. Payments to terrorist entities enabled Lafarge to continue its operations.

Beyond the corporate conviction, eight former Lafarge employees, including executives, were also found guilty of financing terrorism. This collective judgment reflects the gravity of the situation and the systemic nature of the decisions made within the company. The court's findings reveal that over 800,000 euros were paid specifically to secure safe passage for employees and materials, and an additional 1.6 million euros were used to purchase materials from quarries under IS control.

While the court has yet to hand down the sentence against the company, the conviction itself is a major blow to Lafarge and its parent company, Holcim. The case, which also saw Lafarge plead guilty in a US court in 2022 for similar actions, serves as a critical reminder of the ethical and legal responsibilities that companies bear when operating in environments where extremist groups hold sway. The pursuit of profit cannot supersede the imperative to uphold international law and condemn terrorism.

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These payments took the form of a genuine commercial partnership with the Islamic State.