Arabic version: لافارج مدانة بتمويل الإرهاب في سوريا
A French court has found cement group Lafarge guilty of financing “terrorism” through its Syrian subsidiary, leading to significant penalties for the company and its former CEO. The Paris court’s decision, announced on April 13, 2026, found Lafarge guilty of paying protection money to ISIL (ISIS) and other armed groups during the Syrian civil war from 2013 to 2014.
According to Al Jazeera, Lafarge was fined 1.12 million euros ($1.32 million) and had 30 million euros ($35.1 million) of its assets confiscated. The court also imposed additional fines for violating international sanctions. The ruling can be appealed.
The court sentenced former CEO Bruno Lafont to six years in jail, while former deputy managing director Christian Herrault received a five-year sentence. Other employees faced fines and sentences ranging from one to seven years. Judge Isabelle Prevost-Desprez emphasized that Lafarge’s payments to armed groups were aimed at maintaining operations at its Syrian plant, which was acquired in 2008.
The court revealed that Lafarge paid a total of 5.59 million euros ($6.54 million) to various militant groups, including ISIL and the Nusra Front. These payments included over 800,000 euros for safe passage and 1.6 million euros for sourcing materials from quarries controlled by ISIL. This case marks a significant moment in France, as it is the first instance of a company being tried for financing terrorism.
Lafarge has previously faced legal scrutiny, including a conviction in 2022 for crimes against humanity related to similar allegations. The company has acknowledged its past payments but has consistently denied responsibility for the funds reaching armed groups. A separate case concerning complicity in crimes against humanity remains ongoing in France, while Lafarge has also admitted to paying $6 million to ISIL in a U.S. case, resulting in substantial financial penalties.
