French company Lafarge charged with cooperating with terrorists in Syria
Lafarge, a large French construction materials company, has been charged with cooperating with terrorists in Syria and complicity in crimes against humanity, reported France 24.
The investigation took two years. It revolved around the Syrian branch of the company, to which the head office, from 2011-2015, allocated 13 million euros to maintain the plant in northern Syria. Part of this money, according to the investigation, was given to extremist groups, including terrorists from the Islamic State. In exchange for the payments, the terrorists did not interfere with the operation of the plant or with its employees and shipments.
In addition, according to investigators, Lafarge bought raw materials, including oil, from suppliers that work closely with Syrian terrorists. The prosecution believes that Lafarge knew perfectly well that it was dealing with terrorists, but it did not stop cooperating with them, which could be interpreted as complicity in crimes against humanity.
Lafarge said that it will try to have the charges dismissed. At the same time, the company’s management was forced to admit in May that the plant in Syria actually paid a “tribute” to the terrorists in exchange for ensuring the safety of its employees.