TEHRAN (Tasnim) – France 24 reports that French cement maker Lafarge is on trial in Paris, accused of secretly financing Daesh (ISIS or ISIL) and Al-Qaeda-linked groups to maintain its business in war-torn Syria. The French company, now part of Swiss conglomerate Holcim, allegedly transferred millions of dollars between 2013 and 2014 through its Syrian subsidiary to armed factions including Daesh and Jabhat al-Nusra.

The payments were reportedly made to keep Lafarge’s northern Syria plant operating despite the ongoing war.

Jabhat al-Nusra was once led by Ahmad al-Sharaa, who now claims the title of Syrian president.

Lafarge and several former executives face charges of “funding terrorism” and violating international sanctions.

If found guilty, the company could face fines of up to $1.2 million.

In 2022, Lafarge admitted in a US court to conspiring to provide material support to terrorist groups and agreed to pay a $778 million fine.

That case marked the first time a multinational corporation was prosecuted for aiding designated terrorist organizations.

US prosecutors said Lafarge made a “revenue-sharing agreement” with Daesh to suppress competition and maintain operations in conflict areas.

France opened its own investigation in 2017 following reports from journalists and complaints by rights groups and former employees.

The French trial is expected to continue through mid-December, while another inquiry into Lafarge’s possible complicity in crimes against humanity is still ongoing.

More than 400 Yazidi victims, including Nobel laureate Nadia Murad, have also filed a civil suit in the United States accusing Lafarge of enabling Daesh atrocities.

Critics say the case underscores France’s long record of shielding powerful corporations even when they profit from extremist violence abroad.