Lafarge and nine defendants launch appeal against terrorism financing convictions
Lafarge and nine defendants appeal their terrorism financing convictions in Paris courts.
Event / Security
Lafarge Terrorism Financing Conviction
French cement company Lafarge was convicted of financing jihadist groups in Syria during 2013-2014, with executives receiving prison sentences and the company fined over 5 million euros. All defendants have filed appeals.
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2026-08-18 to 2026-11-15 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 28 Apr, 12:07 UTC
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What happened
Lafarge cement company convicted of financing terrorism in Syria
Lafarge cement company was convicted on April 13 by the Paris criminal court of having paid approximately 5.6 million euros to armed jihadist groups in 2013 and 2014 to maintain operations at a cement factory in Jalabiya, northern Syria.
Seven other Lafarge executives received sentences ranging from 18 months to seven years
Additional sentences were imposed on seven other Lafarge executives, ranging from 18 months imprisonment for a Norwegian security manager to seven years for a Syrian intermediary in hiding who managed relations and payments to jihadist groups.
Bruno Pescheux sentenced to five years for Syria operations
Bruno Pescheux, director of Lafarge's Syrian branch from 2008 to July 20, 2014, was sentenced to five years imprisonment but avoided incarceration due to health reasons.
Bruno Lafont sentenced to six years imprisonment for terrorism financing
Bruno Lafont, former CEO of Lafarge from 2007 to 2015, was sentenced to six years imprisonment with immediate detention for financing terrorism. He was subsequently incarcerated at La Santé prison in Paris and has filed a request for release.
Christian Herrault sentenced to five years imprisonment for Islamic State negotiations
Christian Herrault, former deputy general director of Lafarge, was sentenced to five years imprisonment with immediate detention. He negotiated with ISIS to reach a profitable agreement for the factory and was specifically cited by judges for presiding over negotiations with the terrorist organization.
Lafarge and nine defendants file appeal against terrorism financing convictions
Lafarge cement company and all nine other defendants, including former CEO Bruno Lafont, filed appeals against their convictions for terrorism financing in Syria in 2013 and 2014, as announced by the Paris appeals court prosecutor on April 28.
Lafarge sentenced to maximum fine for terrorism financing
Lafarge was sentenced to the maximum fine of 1.125 million euros for terrorism financing and ordered to pay jointly with four former executives a customs fine of 4.57 million euros for violating international financial sanctions.
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2 alternative perspectives
Lafarge executives convicted and sentenced for Syria terrorism financing
Lafarge convicted of terrorism financing in Syria; CEO sentenced to six years, multiple executives to 18 months-seven years.