Court Convicts Lafarge of Terror Financing Over Syria Operations

A Paris court has found Lafarge guilty of financing terrorist groups with about $6.5 million between 2013 and 2014 to sustain its operations in war-torn Syria during the civil war.

The ruling, delivered on Monday, marks the first time a company in France has been convicted for financing terrorism.

According to the court, Lafarge made payments to armed groups, including Islamic State, to maintain access to its cement plant and continue operations in a highly volatile environment. The payments were made at a time when jihadist groups had seized large territories across Syria and Iraq, declaring a so-called caliphate in 2014.

Presiding judge Isabelle Prevost-Desprez said the company prioritised economic interests over security and legal considerations, noting that the payments effectively strengthened terrorist organisations.

“It is clear to the court that the sole purpose of the funding of a terrorist organisation was to keep the Syrian plant running for economic reasons,” she said, adding that the transactions amounted to a “genuine commercial partnership” with extremist groups.

Investigations revealed that Lafarge paid approximately €800,000 to secure safe passage for workers and goods, while about €1.6 million was used to procure raw materials from quarries controlled by militants. The court also found that payments extended beyond Islamic State to the al-Nusra Front.

Several former executives were convicted in connection with the scheme. Former Chief Executive Bruno Lafont was sentenced to six years in prison, while ex-deputy managing director Christian Herrault received a five-year sentence. Firas Tlass, who facilitated the payments, was handed a seven-year sentence in absentia.

In its reaction to the ruling, Lafarge acknowledged the judgment but described the actions as a “legacy matter” that violated its internal code of conduct, adding that the decision represents an important step toward addressing past misconduct.

Lafarge, founded in 1833, later merged with Holcim in 2015 to form LafargeHolcim, now known as Holcim.

In Nigeria, its subsidiary, Lafarge Africa Plc, recently reported N1.1 trillion in revenue for 2025, reflecting significant growth. The company is also seeking shareholder approval to rebrand as ‘HBM Nigeria Plc’ at its 67th Annual General Meeting scheduled for April 30, 2026, in Lagos.