Summary
A French court has ruled that the cement company Lafarge is guilty of financing terrorism through payments to groups in Syria, including ISIL, during 2013-2014. The court imposed fines on the company and sentenced its former executives to jail. These payments were made to continue the company's operations in Syria, despite international sanctions.
Key Facts
- Lafarge was found guilty of financing terrorism by a French court.
- The company paid money to ISIL and other armed groups in Syria to keep its plant running during the civil war in 2013-2014.
- Lafarge was fined 1.12 million euros ($1.32m), and 30 million euros ($35.1m) of its assets were confiscated.
- Eight former Lafarge employees were sentenced, including the former CEO, who received a six-year jail term.
- The payments were made to ensure safe passage and to buy materials, amounting to over 5.59 million euros ($6.55m).
- This is the first time a company in France has been convicted for financing terrorism.
- The case is part of ongoing legal proceedings against Lafarge, with another case involving crimes against humanity still pending.
- Lafarge previously admitted in the U.S. to paying $6m to armed groups in Syria as part of a legal settlement, paying $778m in forfeiture and fines.
