The Paris Court ruled French cement firm Lafarge funded armed groups, such as Islamic State in Syria, to maintain its cement factory’s operation during the civil conflict.
The judges said that the company had paid out millions of dollars in protection funds between 2013 and 2014. Total cost was approximately 6.5 millions dollars. It was a goal to continue business at the northern Syria location as conflict escalated.
The payment method
Lafarge employees arranged payment to several armed groups that controlled territory near the plant, according to investigators.
Included in these payments were funds to ensure safe passage, access to raw material and for the payment of fees. A portion of the money used was to purchase raw materials from regions controlled by Islamic State.
The judges said that the agreement effectively established a working relation with organisations proscribed.
Judges condemn corporate decisions
The judge Isabelle Prevost Desprez stated that the payments allowed armed groups to strengthen their control of resources. This allowed the groups to finance attacks in Europe and Middle East.
Court ruled the financial survival of the factory drove company decisions. The judges said that economic interests came first before ethical and legal limits.
Defense arguments are rejected
Former executives claimed that the continued operation of local operations protected workers. Former executives said that leaving the site would have placed workers at risk.
This justification was not accepted by the court. The court ruled the payments supported terrorist activities.
Wider legal consequences
Cement plant Jalabiya, purchased in 2008, began operating in 2010 – shortly before the Syrian war began.
Holcim now owns the company. Separate investigations into crimes against humanity are still underway.
