A court in Paris has found French cement company Lafarge guilty of paying millions of dollars to armed extremist groups, including the Islamic State (IS) and the al-Qaeda-linked Nusra Front, in Syria.
The court ruled that the company transferred about $6.5 million to the groups between 2013 and 2014 in an attempt to keep its cement plant in operation during the Syrian civil war.
The judgment marks the first time a company has been convicted in France for financing terrorism.
Lafarge’s former chief executive officer, Bruno Lafont, was sentenced to six years in prison for terrorism financing, while former deputy managing director Christian Herrault received a five-year sentence.
The company admitted the court’s findings, saying the payments were made over a decade ago and were in direct violation of its internal code of conduct.
Lafarge had established its cement plant in Syria in 2010, shortly before the country descended into full-scale conflict. While most foreign companies exited Syria by 2012, Lafarge reportedly withdrew its international staff but continued operations through local employees until 2014.
Prosecutors told the court that the company used intermediaries to make payments to armed groups in exchange for safe passage for staff and transport vehicles.
Delivering the ruling, Judge Isabelle Prevost-Desprez said the payments helped the company maintain operations but ultimately strengthened terrorist organisations operating in the region.
She added that the funds contributed indirectly to the groups’ ability to control territory and finance wider violent activities.
The court also imposed a €1.125 million fine on the company.
Lafarge argued during the trial that its decision to keep the plant running was partly influenced by efforts to protect local workers in Syria.
The case has drawn global attention as it raises questions about corporate responsibility in conflict zones and the financial links between businesses and armed groups.
