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3w ago

Paris Court Convicts Lafarge of Terror Financing and Sanctions Breaches in Syria

The ruling sets a rare corporate terror‑financing precedent in France.

The cement plant in Jalabiya, Syria, which Lafarge bought in 2018. The company was found guilty of financing jihadist groups to maintain operations at plant during the country's civil war.
Former CEO of Lafarge Bruno Lafont arrives on the day of the verdict in the trial of the French cement group Lafarge accused of financing terrorism in Syria, at the Paris courthouse, in Paris on April 13, 2026. The Paris criminal court will deliver its verdict against the cement company and eight former executives of the group, accused of financing terrorism for having paid jihadist groups to keep a factory running in the middle of the war in Syria. (Photo by Behrouz MEHRI / AFP)
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Lafarge is accused of paying millions of dollars in 2013 and 2014 to jihadist groups and intermediaries to keep its plant operating in northern Syria

Overview

  • Lafarge and eight former employees were found guilty by the Paris Criminal Court on Monday of financing terrorism and violating European sanctions.
  • Judges said the company paid about €5.6 million to Islamic State and the al‑Qaeda‑linked Nusra Front in 2013 to September 2014 to keep its Jalabiya cement plant running.
  • The court fined Lafarge €1.125 million and imposed prison terms from 18 months to seven years, including six years for former CEO Bruno Lafont.
  • The presiding judge described the setup as a “genuine commercial partnership” with Islamic State that bought access to quarries and safe passage for trucks and staff.
  • Holcim says it had no knowledge of the Syria dealings, appeals are planned, and a separate French probe into alleged complicity in crimes against humanity continues after a 2022 U.S. case that cost Lafarge $778 million.