Lafarge Faces Unprecedented Terror Financing Trial in France

French cement maker Lafarge, now part of Switzerland’s Holcim Group, went on trial in Paris on Tuesday over accusations that its Syrian subsidiary financed terrorist groups to keep a plant operational during Syria’s civil war. Investigators allege Lafarge paid around €5 million between 2013 and September 2014 to groups including Islamic State (IS) and the al-Qaeda-linked Nusra Front—both designated as terrorist organisations by the European Union.

Prosecutors say those payments helped secure safe passage for workers and maintain material supplies at Lafarge’s Jalabiya cement plant in northern Syria, which began operations in 2010 shortly before the conflict erupted. Eight former Lafarge executives are also being tried, each facing up to 10 years in prison. The company has said the actions violated its Code of Conduct and that none of those executives are currently with the company.

This marks a landmark case in France, being the first time a corporation has stood trial for terrorism financing. Lafarge has already admitted similar wrongdoing in the United States in 2022, paying $778 million in penalties. The French trial is expected to run until December 16, and the company also remains under investigation for potential complicity in crimes against humanity in Syria.

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