What's happened
Investigative judges in France allege Lafarge paid jihadist groups including ISIS and al-Nusra Front a total of €5 million between 2013 and 2014 to keep its Syrian plant operational. The case is unprecedented, with Lafarge and eight individuals facing charges, amid ongoing investigations into funding terrorism and crimes against humanity.
What's behind the headline?
The Lafarge case highlights the complex intersection of corporate operations and conflict zones. The allegations suggest that Lafarge prioritized business continuity over ethical considerations, paying terrorist groups to operate in a war-torn environment. This case underscores the risks multinational companies face when operating in unstable regions, especially regarding compliance with international sanctions and anti-terrorism laws. The trial's outcome could set a precedent for holding corporations accountable for funding terrorism, emphasizing the importance of rigorous oversight in conflict zones. The fact that Lafarge’s former executives are on trial indicates a potential shift towards greater corporate accountability. The case also raises questions about the broader implications for foreign investment in conflict areas and the need for stricter regulatory frameworks to prevent complicity in crimes against humanity.
What the papers say
The Times of Israel reports that Lafarge paid €5 million to jihadist groups between 2013 and 2014, with investigations ongoing since 2017. The New Arab emphasizes the unprecedented nature of the case and details the allegations against Lafarge and its former executives. France 24 highlights the legal context, noting Lafarge's guilty plea in the US and the potential fines if found guilty in France. All sources agree that the case exposes serious ethical and legal breaches during the Syrian conflict, with Lafarge accused of funding terrorism and violating sanctions. The articles collectively portray a story of corporate misconduct in a conflict zone, with legal proceedings likely to influence future corporate conduct in war-torn regions.
How we got here
Lafarge, a French multinational cement company acquired by Swiss firm Holcim in 2015, built a factory in northern Syria in 2010. During the Syrian civil war, the company allegedly paid armed groups, including ISIS and Nusra Front, to secure operations and raw materials. The payments reportedly included €3 million for safe passage and €1.9 million for sourcing materials from IS-controlled quarries. The company’s Syrian subsidiary admitted in 2022 to paying $6 million to these groups, leading to a $778 million forfeiture in the US. French authorities opened an investigation in 2017 following media reports and legal complaints about the company’s conduct during the conflict.
Go deeper
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Holcim is a Swiss-based global building materials and aggregates flagship division of the Holcim Group. The original company was merged on 10 July 2015 with Lafarge to form LafargeHolcim as the new company and renamed to Holcim Group in 2021.
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The Syrian civil war was an armed conflict that began with the Syrian revolution in March 2011, when popular discontent with the Ba'athist regime ruled by Bashar al-Assad triggered large-scale protests and pro-democracy rallies across Syria, as part of...