Lafarge Convicted of Terrorism Financing in Paris Court

Lafarge, a French cement manufacturer, was found guilty by a Paris court of financing terrorism, specifically for paying $6.5 million to jihadist groups, including the Islamic State, to maintain operations at its plant in northern Syria during the civil war from 2013 to 2014. The court, presided over by Judge Isabel Prévost Desprez, ruled that these payments allowed the proscribed organization to gain control over Syria's natural resources, facilitating attacks across the Middle East and Europe.

Eight former Lafarge employees, including former CEO Bruno Lafont, were convicted, with Lafont receiving a six-year prison sentence. The Nigerian government, which has Lafarge operations in Ewekoro, Sagamu, and Ashaka, has not commented on the conviction despite ongoing scrutiny of financial networks supporting terrorism in Nigeria.

Lafarge acknowledged the court's findings, citing a legacy issue from a decade ago that violated its code of conduct.