Lafarge Cement has been convicted of financing terrorism through its Syrian subsidiary, resulting in a fine of 1.12 million euros and the confiscation of 30 million euros worth of assets. The Paris court’s ruling marks a significant moment in corporate accountability, as it is the first instance of a company being tried in France for such charges.
Bruno Lafont, the former CEO of Lafarge, has been sentenced to six years in jail, while Christian Herrault, the former deputy managing director, received a five-year prison term. The court found that Lafarge paid a total of 5.59 million euros to armed groups, including ISIL and the al-Nusra Front, to keep its Syrian plant operational during the civil war.
Judge Isabelle Prevost-Desprez stated, “The sole purpose of the funding of a terrorist organisation was to keep the Syrian plant running for economic reasons.” This admission highlights the lengths to which Lafarge went to maintain its operations in a conflict zone.
The company’s plant in Jalabiya began operating in 2010, just months before the Syrian uprising in early 2011. As the civil war escalated, Lafarge acknowledged paying nearly 13 million euros to middlemen to facilitate these transactions, which were deemed essential for securing access to Syria’s natural resources.
In addition to the French ruling, Lafarge is currently under investigation for alleged complicity in crimes against humanity. In a separate case in the United States, the company paid $778 million in forfeiture and fines for similar charges related to its operations in Syria.
Former employees have expressed their outrage, stating, “Lafarge was aware of what was happening to us – the checkpoints, the threats, the daily fear – but chose to risk the lives of its employees for profit.” This sentiment underscores the ethical implications of corporate decisions made in conflict zones.
Lafarge has acknowledged the court’s findings regarding conduct that occurred more than a decade ago and described the decision as an important milestone in addressing this legacy matter responsibly.
As the legal proceedings continue, observers are keenly watching how Lafarge will navigate its responsibilities and the potential repercussions for its global operations. Details remain unconfirmed regarding further actions that may be taken against the company or its executives.
