Lafarge Convicted for Funding Terrorism in Syria

Lafarge, a French cement manufacturer, was found guilty by a Paris court of financing terrorist groups, including the Islamic State, to maintain its operations in northern Syria during the civil war. The court ruled that Lafarge paid approximately $6.5 million to these groups between 2013 and 2014.

The payments enabled the groups to gain control over the country's natural resources, facilitating attacks across the Middle East and Europe. Former CEO Bruno Lafont was sentenced to six years in prison.

The court's ruling was made public on a Monday, but there was no response from the Federal Government of Nigeria when inquiries were made regarding the conviction. Officials from the National Security Adviser’s office and the Ministry of Justice, including Lateef Fagbemi, declined to comment on the matter during a press briefing.