France’s Cement Maker Lafarge Faces Trial Over Alleged Funding of Daesh in Syria

The French company, now part of Swiss conglomerate Holcim, is alleged to have transferred millions of dollars between 2013 and 2014 through its Syrian subsidiary to armed groups, including Daesh and Jabhat al-Nusra.

The payments were reportedly intended to keep Lafarge’s northern Syria plant operational despite the ongoing conflict.

Jabhat al-Nusra was previously led by Ahmad al-Sharaa, who currently claims the title of Syrian president.

Lafarge and several former executives face charges of “funding terrorism” and violating international sanctions. If convicted, the company could face fines of up to $1.2 million.

In 2022, Lafarge admitted in a U.S. court to conspiring to provide material support to terrorist organizations and agreed to pay a $778 million fine. This marked the first time a multinational corporation was prosecuted for aiding designated terrorist groups.

U.S. prosecutors stated that Lafarge had a “revenue-sharing agreement” with Daesh to reduce competition and maintain operations in conflict zones.

France launched its own investigation in 2017 following reports from journalists and complaints by human rights organizations and former employees.

The French trial is expected to continue through mid-December, while a separate inquiry into Lafarge’s potential complicity in crimes against humanity remains ongoing.

Over 400 Yazidi victims, including Nobel laureate Nadia Murad, have filed a civil lawsuit in the United States accusing Lafarge of enabling Daesh atrocities.

Critics argue the case highlights France’s long history of protecting powerful corporations, even when they profit from extremist violence abroad.