A Paris court has found Bruno Lafont, the former CEO of Lafarge, and eight other ex-employees guilty of financing terrorism in Syria. Lafont was sentenced to a six-year prison term, and the company has been ordered to pay a fine of €1.125 million ($1.3 million).
Details of the Case
The court determined that Lafarge, the world’s largest cement manufacturer, funneled approximately €5.6 million ($6.53 million) to terrorist groups, including the “Islamic State” (IS) and Nusra Front. These payments were made to ensure the continued operation of their plant in Jalabiya, Syria, amidst the country’s civil war. For more information on related legal actions, see our coverage of new security laws.
A “Commercial Partnership” with Terrorists
Presiding Judge Isabelle Prevost-Desprez described the payments as a “genuine commercial partnership with the Islamic State.” While most multinational corporations had withdrawn from Syria by 2012, Lafarge chose to evacuate only its expatriate staff, leaving its Syrian employees to manage the plant. This case is a stark reminder of the complex challenges and ethical dilemmas that businesses can face in conflict zones. Explore our analysis of cyberwarfare tactics for further insights into unconventional warfare.
Prior Guilty Plea in the US
This is not the first time Lafarge has faced legal repercussions for its actions in Syria. The company had previously pleaded guilty in a U.S. court to funding IS and the Nusra Front between 2013 and 2015. The original story was reported by Deutsche Welle.
