Lafarge Guilty of Funding Terrorism

In a landmark ruling, a Paris court has convicted cement manufacturer Lafarge of financing terrorism during the Syrian civil war.

The judge determined that the company knowingly paid millions of dollars in protection money to armed groups, including the Islamic State, to keep its plant in Jalabiya operational.

Former CEO Bruno Lafont was sentenced to six years in prison for his role in the scheme, which also involved breaching European sanctions.

This case marks the first time a multinational corporation has been held criminally responsible for funding terrorist activities in France.