French cement giant Lafarge guilty of financing terrorist groups including ISIS as court for France find the company liable for paying millions of dollars to militants to keep business running for Syria during civil war.
The court rule say Lafarge pay about $6.5 million between 2013 and 2014 to groups like Islamic State (IS) and other militants to continue operations for their cement factory.
Former CEO, Bruno Lafont, receive six-year jail sentence, while other company officials also face prison terms for their involvement.
Judge Isabelle Prevost-Desprez talk say the payments help terrorist groups gain control of resources and fund attacks across the Middle East and Europe.
“The payments allow the company continue operations, even if it means supporting terrorist organisations,” the judge explain.
Investigations show say Lafarge also pay money to Nusra Front, another extremist group linked to al-Qaeda, and even buy raw materials from areas controlled by militants.
The company later admit the wrongdoing, describing am as past issue wey go against their code of conduct.
Lafarge, wey now dey under Holcim, also pay fine of over €1 million.
This case mark the first time company for France go face trial for financing terrorism.
The matter also connect to earlier case for United States where Lafarge agree pay $777.8 million fine for similar offence.
The incident happen during Syria civil war, when militant groups control large parts of the country and use resources to fund violent operations.
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